148 dead in strike on Girls’ School in Southern Iran during US–Israeli bombing campaign
At least 148 people have been killed and nearly 100 wounded after missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, a city in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian officials said on March 1.
The school, attended by elementary-age girls from the local community, was located approximately 600 meters (about 1,970 feet) from a base of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a known target of Israeli and US military operations. Iranian authorities said the school was hit by three missiles on Saturday morning, causing a partial collapse of the building. Images verified by international media show smoke rising from the structure as rescuers and bystanders searched through rubble for survivors, pulling out schoolbags and textbooks.
Who Carried Out the Strikes?
Iran has blamed both the United States and Israel, describing the attack as part of a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign launched over the weekend against targets across Iran.
The Israeli military confirmed it was conducting strikes in multiple Iranian cities but said it was “not aware” of operations specifically targeting the Minab school. The US military’s Central Command (Centcom) said it was reviewing reports of civilian casualties. Spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins stated: “We take these reports seriously. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm.”
While Iranian state media described the strike as Israeli, the broader campaign has been characterized by US and Israeli coordination. As of Sunday, neither government had publicly confirmed responsibility for the Minab school strike itself.
Separate Targets?
US and Israeli forces have carried out waves of airstrikes against what they describe as Iranian military and strategic infrastructure. Israeli officials said their operations targeted sites “in the heart of Tehran,” including military installations. The United States has not detailed individual targets but has acknowledged participation in the broader offensive.
The Minab school’s proximity to the IRGC base has raised questions about whether the intended target was the nearby military facility.
Other Notable Deaths
The strike occurred amid a dramatic escalation in hostilities that included the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader for the last 40 years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a separate airstrike confirmed by US President Donald Trump. Iranian officials described his death as crossing “a very dangerous red line.” Several senior Iranian commanders were also reported killed.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, at least 201 people have died and more than 700 have been injured in airstrikes across Iran since Saturday. Separately, Iranian media reported that two students were killed in another strike on a school east of Tehran.
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Trump’s Comments
Donald Trump indicated the strikes would continue through the coming week, framing the campaign as a necessary action against Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure. He previously said that US actions are aimed at countering threats posed by the Iranian regime.
Critics of the recent war actions however, point to mounting civilian casualties, including children, as evidence of the conflict’s widening human toll.
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Public Reaction: Iran and the US Divided
In Iran, social media reactions ranged from grief and anger to distrust of official accounts. Many condemned the attack as a violation of international law and an assault on civilians. Others, deeply skeptical of the Iranian government, questioned whether authorities had taken adequate steps to protect civilians, citing a lack of shelters and warnings.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the strike a “barbaric act” and “another black page” in what he described as aggression against Iran. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed the deaths “will not go unanswered.”
In the United States, reactions are polarized. Some Americans gathered to celebrate the strikes as a blow against Iran’s leadership, particularly following Khamenei’s death. Others protested in major cities, condemning the bombing campaign and warning of civilian harm and regional destabilization.
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US Congressional Response
Members of the US Congress have voiced sharply differing views. Some lawmakers expressed support for decisive military action against Iran’s leadership and military assets. Others called for investigations into civilian casualties and demanded clearer authorization and oversight of US involvement in the strikes.
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International Concern
International organizations and public figures have expressed alarm. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai condemned the killing of schoolgirls and called for accountability, urging all parties to uphold international law and protect educational institutions.
Access restrictions within Iran have prevented independent verification of casualty figures by foreign journalists, though multiple outlets have confirmed the location and authenticity of footage from the scene.
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What’s Next?
Iran has already launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets and US military bases in the region, raising fears of a broader regional war. With US and Israeli officials signaling that operations may continue, and Iran promising further retaliation, diplomatic efforts appear limited.
As civilian casualties mount and regional infrastructure — including air hubs and oil shipments — faces disruption, international pressure for de-escalation is expected to intensify in the coming days.
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Summary
The joint operation, dubbed Roaring Lion by Israel, delivered nearly 900 strikes in the first 12 hours, hitting sites like the Isfahan nuclear complex, Parchin, missile bases in Kermanshah and Tabriz, and Tehran compounds. Iranian reports confirmed over 200 deaths, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and IRGC commanders, while a school near Minab saw 148 killed, though U.S. officials stressed precise military targeting. Iran fired back with missiles and drones at U.S. bases and Israel. Trump vowed ongoing action to dismantle nuclear and missile threats, drawing sharp U.S. divides – from praise by supporters like Sen. John Fetterman to criticism over lack of congressional approval.
For more on the recent US / Israeli bombings in Iran, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Sources: BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian)
(Cover photo: Image credit: X)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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