Minab Şeceretü’t-Tayyibe Girls' Primary School Attack (2026)

Attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School (2026) occurred on 28 February 2026 when the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in the city of Minab, located in Iran’s Hormozgan province, was targeted in an aerial strike. During the attack, a large number of students and teachers lost their lives. According to information reported by Iranian state television, at least 153 students and teachers were killed in the attack.

Footage of Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School during the US-Israel attack, 28 February 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

The attack took place on the first day of the US and Israel’s military operations against Iran. Following the incident, conflicting statements emerged regarding responsibility, and several countries and international organizations issued calls for investigation and inquiry into the incident.

Iranian officials and state media declared that the attack was carried out by the United States and Israel. Some analyses in the international press suggested that the attack may have occurred simultaneously with a military operation targeting a naval base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near the school.

Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, 5 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Course of the Attack

On 28 February 2026, the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in the city of Minab, located in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, suffered severe damage during an aerial strike. Iranian health officials and state media reported that the attack directly targeted the school building and affected students and teachers present inside at the time.

Authorities stated that the incident occurred on a Saturday, the first working day of the week in Iran, during school hours.

The first images related to the attack were published on social media platforms shortly after 11:30 local time. Photos and videos shared after the event showed thick smoke rising from the area surrounding the school. Footage also revealed explosion and smoke traces in the vicinity of the school building and nearby military installations during the same time frame.

Satellite imagery and open-source analyses confirmed that the school building had suffered serious damage. Examined images showed extensive destruction in the area where the school stood, with a large portion of the building rendered unrecognizable.

Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, 5 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Geographical Location of the School and Nearby Military Facilities

Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School is located in the city of Minab, within Iran’s southern Hormozgan province. Minab lies approximately 600 miles south of Tehran, Iran’s capital, and is situated close to the Strait of Hormuz.

The school building targeted in the attack is located near a naval base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Some analyses in the international press suggested that this nearby military facility may have been among the targets of the US and Israel’s military operation.

Investigations based on satellite imagery and open-source analysis determined that the school building and the naval base were situated in close proximity to each other. The examined images indicated severe damage to both the school and the military installations resulting from the attack.

Some international assessments suggested that the attack may have occurred simultaneously with operations targeting naval assets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Further evaluations based on satellite imagery indicated that evidence suggested both the school and the naval base may have been struck during attacks carried out within the same time frame.

Multiple strike patterns were identified in the area housing the school and the naval base. It was noted that the close positioning of the targets may indicate that multiple objectives were struck within the same operation.

Analyses published by Middle East Eye suggested that a tactic known as a “double tap”—in which a target is struck again shortly after the initial attack—may have been employed during the strikes.

Funeral ceremony for children killed in the US-Israel attack on the primary school in Iran, 5 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

The New York Times Analysis and Satellite Imagery

The New York Times published an analysis based on satellite imagery and verified videos regarding the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School.

According to the NYT analysis, a US-made “Tomahawk” cruise missile struck a naval base near the targeted primary school. The analysis included a video published by Mehr News Agency and verified by the NYT.

The verified video showed the missile striking a building at the naval base used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The video identified the structure as a medical clinic.

The analysis noted that during the attack, the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, located near the naval base, also sustained heavy damage. The camera angle and the dense cloud of smoke and dust visible in the footage suggested that the school may have been struck shortly before the naval base.

The timeline constructed for the attack indicated that the school may have been targeted simultaneously with or shortly after the naval base.

Footage of Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School after the US-Israel attack, 28 February 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Statement by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a written statement regarding the incident. The statement addressed the targeting of the school in the city of Minab, located in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.

In his statement, Pezeshkian said the attack had deeply affected Iranian society. He stated: “The heart-wrenching tragedy at Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in Minab, and the martyrdom of dozens of innocent children, has deeply wounded the hearts of all Iranians and all free people. This barbaric act adds another dark page to the record of countless crimes committed by aggressors against this land, and it will never be erased from the historical memory of our nation.”

Pezeshkian expressed prayers for the students and others who lost their lives, and offered the highest ranks in paradise to the deceased, urgent healing to the injured, and patience to the families of the victims.

Funeral ceremony for children killed in the US-Israel attack on the primary school in Iran, 5 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Casualties

On 28 February 2026, a large number of students and teachers were killed in the attack on the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in Minab. Following the incident, conflicting figures were reported in official and semi-official statements regarding the death toll.

According to information released by Iranian state television, 153 students and teachers lost their lives in the attack. The statement emphasized that the attack directly targeted the school building and that the majority of those killed were students present inside the school.

Other statements issued by Iranian health officials and state media reported that at least 175 people were killed in the attack. These statements indicated that a significant portion of the deceased were children. Some statements by US officials, however, reported that 168 people lost their lives in the incident.

Among the deceased were not only elementary school-aged students but also teachers and school staff. The attack has been recorded as one of the deadliest incidents involving civilian casualties during the initial phase of US and Israel’s military operations against Iran.

Children killed in the US-Israel attack on the primary school in Iran are being buried, 3 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Funeral Ceremonies

On 3 March 2026, funeral ceremonies were held in the city of Minab, located in Iran’s Hormozgan province, for the students and teachers killed in the attack on the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School. According to Iranian state television, the ceremonies were attended by the families of the deceased students, local officials, and a large number of citizens.

According to Iranian state television, thousands of people attended the funerals. During the ceremonies, some families carried photographs of their deceased children and participated in processions, and a large crowd was present throughout the event. Some attendees chanted slogans against the United States and Israel. The funeral ceremonies were held alongside mass burial operations in Minab.

Children killed in the US-Israel attack on the primary school in Iran are being buried, 3 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Statements Regarding Responsibility for the Attack

Following the attack, the US government did not issue a definitive statement regarding responsibility. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a press briefing on 4 March 2026, responded to a question about whether the US carried out the attack on the school with: “As far as we know, no.” Leavitt also stated that the incident was under review.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a press briefing on 4 March 2026 that a probe into the attack had been initiated. Hegseth defended the position that the US military “never targets civilian facilities”. He also confirmed that the incident was under investigation.

During a presentation by the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, a map was displayed showing the targets of attacks in Iran. The map included the area where the primary school was located among the targeted zones.

In response to questions regarding the attack, US President Donald Trump stated: “Based on what I have seen, Iran did this. It was Iran. They are extremely inaccurate with their munitions. There is no truth to it.”

Funeral ceremony for children killed in the US-Israel attack on the primary school in Iran, 5 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Statement by Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Ali Laricani

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Ali Laricani made statements on the social media platform X regarding the incident.

In his statement, Laricani criticized the attack while referencing US President Donald Trump’s theory of “peace through strength.” He asked: “Is this the anthem you composed for freedom in Iran, Mr. Trump?”

Laricani further stated that Trump’s “peace through strength” approach had been “drenched in the blood” of the 153 students killed in the Minab school attack. He also declared in his statement: “God has humiliated those who act with deceit, using their own hands.”

Statements by International Organizations and Human Rights Groups

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, international organizations and human rights groups called for investigation and inquiry. The targeting of a civilian educational institution drew significant international attention.

Shortly after the attack, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a written statement. The statement expressed deep concern over the impact of ongoing military tensions in the Middle East on educational institutions. UNESCO recalled that over 100 people, including many students, were killed in the attack on the girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran.

The statement emphasized: “The killing of students in a place designated for education constitutes a serious violation of the protection afforded to schools under international law.” It underscored that such attacks undermine the right to education. UNESCO also recalled United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601, noting that under this resolution, parties have an obligation to protect schools, education personnel, and students.

Regarding the attack, UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani made statements during a weekly press briefing in Geneva. The remarks addressed developments related to the attack by the US and Israel on a primary school in Iran.

Shamdasani stated that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had called for an urgent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the attack. She said:

“The High Commissioner is calling for an urgent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the attack. Responsibility for the attack lies with the forces that carried it out.”

Shamdasani confirmed that the attack targeted a primary school in the city of Minab in southern Iran and was among the deadliest incidents in the region. She drew attention to the fact that 153 students and teachers were killed in the attack.

Shamdasani also noted that the attack was “one of the deadliest and most destructive incidents” among the casualties in Iran. She emphasized that many girls were killed or injured in the attack on the school in Minab.

Shamdasani further stated that the findings of the investigation must be made public, adding: “The High Commissioner is calling for an urgent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the attack. Responsibility for the attack lies with the forces that carried it out. We demand that those responsible make their findings public and provide accountability and reparations to the victims.”

Shamdasani also noted that the UN Human Rights Office does not have a field team in Iran and relies on local sources for information gathering: “We have no team on the ground. We do not have access to Iran, and internet restrictions have further limited our ability to gather information. We rely on trusted local sources to verify information.”

Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report assessing the attack on the primary school in Iran. The report stated that “the pattern of strikes targeting multiple structures, including the school, and the traces of munitions left in several buildings, indicate that the attack was carried out with precision-guided munitions rather than indiscriminate weapons.”

The report emphasized that the incident must be investigated as a “war crime” and that its findings must be made public, adding: “Those responsible for unlawful attacks, including those responsible for war crimes, must be held accountable.”

The report stressed that any investigation must determine whether those responsible were aware that the school was in use and that children and teachers were present inside.

International Reactions

Statements by Colombian President Gustavo Petro

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, Colombian President Gustavo Petro made statements on the social media platform X. Petro shared images of the attack on the school in Minab, Hormozgan province, and condemned the strike.

Petro described the attack as “barbarism”. In his post, he wrote: “The global toll of today’s violence appears to be 50 young girls killed by a missile from (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu. This is barbarism. If those demanding freedom for Iranian women ask them to remove their headscarves while killing their daughters, it is meaningless. Nuclear disarmament talks between the US and Iran must continue. Humanity must demand free elections for both Israel and Palestine to choose their own leaders.”

In another post following the attack, Petro announced that he would call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. In that post, he stated: “This is a catastrophe. We cannot allow the international order to collapse, or the result will be barbarism. Colombia is calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, of which it is a full member. The path forward is not to increase the number of nuclear-armed states, but to eliminate these weapons entirely. The Middle East can be a nuclear-free zone, just like Latin America.”

Statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement on developments in the Middle East. The statement expressed concern over the intensification of armed conflict in the region following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and stated that “Washington and Tel Aviv are attempting to change the regime in Iran and undermine efforts to improve relations between Iran and Arab countries using the most vile methods.”

The ministry also drew attention to the attack on a girls’ primary school in Minab on 28 February and declared: “This attack deserves condemnation. Any attack targeting civilians, whether in Iran or Arab countries, is unacceptable and must be abandoned without exception.”

Statements by Iran’s Ambassador to Abuja, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja

Iran’s Ambassador to Abuja, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, made statements to journalists in the capital, Abuja, regarding US and Israeli attacks on Iran. He accused the US and Israel of carrying out “unprovoked and coordinated military attacks” against Iran.

Raja noted that the attacks occurred during a period of ongoing diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington. He stated: “While Iran and the US are engaged in an active diplomatic process aimed at resolving differences through dialogue, Iran has become the target of unprovoked and coordinated military attacks.”

Raja emphasized that the attacks took place on the tenth day of Ramadan and on the eve of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which he argued further intensified the “ethical, humanitarian, and moral dimensions” of the incident.

The ambassador also claimed that during the initial hours of the attack, civilian settlements were targeted, particularly educational institutions. He stated that a girls’ primary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab had been almost entirely destroyed. Raja estimated that approximately 200 students were killed or injured.

Raja, who argued that the attacks violated international law, stated: “The deliberate targeting of schools and children constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law.”

Protest Demonstration in London

On 7 March, a peace protest march was held in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. The march was organized by activist groups including the Stop the War Coalition, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

The protest march began in the Milbank area near the UK Parliament. Demonstrators walked approximately two kilometers before reaching the US Embassy in London.

During the march, demonstrators carried banners, placards, and flags and chanted various slogans. Banners displayed included: “No War in Iran,” “Stop Trump’s War,” “Stop Arming Israel,” and “No Bombs or Weapons, Peace in Palestine and Iran.”

At the US Embassy in London, a memorial corner was established in honor of the students and teachers killed in the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in Minab. Demonstrators placed flowers and toys at the memorial. The protest march concluded with speeches held in front of the US Embassy.

Commemoration event at the New York Public Library for the 180 children killed in Iran, 9 March 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Commemoration Event in New York

On 9 March 2026, a commemoration event was held in New York City, United States. The event took place in front of the New York Public Library. Peace activists gathered to honor the children killed in the attack on the Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in Minab, Iran.

US Democratic Senators’ Call for Investigation at the Pentagon

Following the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, US Democratic senators called for an explanation and investigation from the US Department of Defense (Pentagon). In a joint statement by Senators Mark Warner, Brian Schatz, Patty Murray, Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, and Chris Coons, the reports of the attack on the school in Minab, Hormozgan province, on 28 February were described as “horrifying”.

The joint statement also referenced independent analyses. It stated: “Independent analyses strongly indicate that the attack may have been carried out by US forces. If true, this incident could be among the deadliest involving civilian casualties in the US’s decades-long military activities in the Middle East.”

The senators emphasized the need for a full and impartial investigation. They stated that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth must explain to the American public and Congress how and why the incident occurred. The statement added: “The American people and Congress must be given clear answers regarding how and why this tragedy occurred.”

Statements by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

On 11 March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made statements regarding the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School. Meloni condemned the attack strongly and insisted that those responsible must be identified.

In her remarks, Meloni said: “On behalf of the government, I strongly condemn the massacre of young girls at the school in Minab, southern Iran. I stand in solidarity with the families of the young victims and demand the swift identification of those responsible.” The Prime Minister also emphasized that Italy is not involved in the US and Israel’s military intervention in Iran, adding: “I must immediately clarify, to avoid any misunderstanding, that Italy is not participating in this intervention and has no intention to do so.”

Preliminary Investigation in the United States

In a report published by the New York Times (NYT) on 11 March regarding the attack on Shajarat al-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School, preliminary findings of a US military investigation were presented. The report indicated that the attack on 28 February 2026 in Minab, Hormozgan province, Iran, may have resulted from a US military targeting error.

The report included assessments from unnamed US officials and informed sources. According to these sources, during the military operation targeting the naval base used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the school was mistakenly struck.

According to US officials, the coordinates used in the attack were determined by officers at the US Central Command (CENTCOM) based on outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). This raised the possibility that the target coordinates had been incorrectly identified.

The report also noted that US officials stated the attack was not caused by artificial intelligence systems or new military technologies. Officials assessed that the incident may have resulted from “human error”. According to NYT’s sources, the school building had been labeled as a military facility in outdated data. The report noted that the building was converted into an independent school between 2013 and 2016 after separating from the former military base compound.

Statement by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Attack

On 12 March, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismael Bekayi, issued a statement regarding the attack. In a message posted on his social media account, Bekayi described the attack as “unforgivable and a serious war crime”. He stated: “The double-tap Tomahawk missile strike by the United States that killed 168 Iranian child angels in Minab on 28 February 2026 is an unforgivable and grave war crime.”

In his statement, the Iranian spokesperson also emphasized that those responsible for the attack must not go unpunished and called for the incident to be investigated under international law and for those responsible to be held accountable.