Iran says 155 killed in attack
Iran has released a detailed account of casualties from a strike on an elementary school in Minab on Friday, February 28, 2026, marking the first day of the West Asia war. According to state broadcaster IRIB and local media reports, the attack killed 155 people, including 120 children, and has intensified scrutiny over civilian safety in the escalating conflict.
Revised casualty figures highlight scale of civilian deaths
Officials reported that the victims included 73 boys and 47 girls, along with 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated death toll is lower than earlier estimates that exceeded 175, but still underscores the scale of the tragedy. The strike occurred amid coordinated military actions by the United States and Israel targeting sites across Iran, which prompted retaliatory strikes by Tehran against locations in Israel and Gulf countries.
US investigation points to possible targeting error
Preliminary findings from a United States military investigation, cited in multiple reports, indicated that a Tomahawk cruise missile struck the school due to a targeting error. Earlier statements from US President Donald Trump suggested Iran might have been responsible for the incident, although Iran does not possess Tomahawk missile capabilities, raising questions about the initial assessment.
Iran alleges deliberate attack in international forum
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the strike as a deliberate act during a video address to the United Nations Human Rights Council. He characterized the incident as a “calculated, phased assault,” arguing that the advanced precision technologies claimed by US and Israeli forces make accidental targeting unlikely. His remarks signal Iran’s intent to elevate the issue on the global stage as part of broader diplomatic and legal responses to the conflict.
Growing concerns over civilian safety in expanding conflict
The Minab school strike has become one of the most severe civilian casualty incidents reported since the start of the war, drawing attention to the risks faced by non-combatants. As military operations continue across the region, the incident is likely to remain central to debates over accountability, rules of engagement, and the humanitarian impact of modern warfare.
