Families Mourn Children Killed in US Strike on Iranian School in Minab

MINAB — Families in the southern Iranian city of Minab continue to mourn the loss of children killed when an airstrike struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh school on February 28, the opening day of the war in Iran.

According to the Associated Press, at least 168 people were killed in the attack, most of them children. Iranian authorities said 120 students and 26 school staff members were among those killed, while three children remain missing. The United States has not officially acknowledged responsibility for the strike or released the findings of a Pentagon investigation.

The school, once filled with classrooms and students, has since become a site of mourning. Relatives regularly visit the ruins to remember those who died, while plans are being considered to preserve the location as a memorial documenting the tragedy.

Among the victims were schoolchildren and teachers who were inside the building when it was struck. AP reported that one teacher, Nasim Neyestani, attempted to evacuate her students before being killed alongside eight children when a missile hit the school’s prayer room.

The attack has left survivors and families struggling with profound grief. Some relatives continue to visit the site and nearby graves, keeping alive the memories of children whose lives were cut short.

The Associated Press and Iranian state media investigations confirmed that at least one missile struck the school. The incident has also prompted international concern over civilian casualties and the protection of children during armed conflict. UNICEF previously expressed deep concern over the impact of the conflict on children in Iran, while international rights organizations have called for accountability and an impartial investigation.

The destruction of the Minab school remains one of the deadliest incidents involving children since the outbreak of the conflict and has become a stark symbol of the humanitarian consequences of the war.