Minab School Bombing: Questions Mount Over Deadly Strike in Iran

A devastating missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, southern Iran, on February 28, 2026, has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life, with Iranian authorities reporting at least 165 deaths, the majority of whom were girls aged between 7, and 12. At least 95 others were wounded in the attack, marking the deadliest single incident of the recent conflict. The incident has sparked international scrutiny and raised questions about the accuracy of intelligence and potential targeting decisions.

The Attack and Initial Reactions

The strike occurred during the school’s morning session, as classes were underway. Footage released by the Iranian foreign press office depicts widespread destruction within the school building. Images and videos circulating online, though graphic in nature, show children’s bodies amidst the rubble and debris. Rescuers are shown digging through the remains of the school, with reports indicating the local morgue was overwhelmed and refrigerated vehicles were used to store the bodies of the victims.^{Al Jazeera}

Immediately following the attack, both Israeli and U.S. Authorities sought to distance themselves from responsibility. Spokespeople for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Israeli army initially stated they were unaware that a school had been hit.^{Al Jazeera} Some pro-Israel social media accounts suggested the site was part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base.^{Al Jazeera}

Investigative Findings and Location Analysis

Though, an investigation by Al Jazeera’s digital investigations unit challenges these claims. Analysis of satellite imagery spanning over a decade, combined with recent video clips and official Iranian statements, reveals that the school had been clearly separated from an adjacent military site for at least ten years.^{Al Jazeera}

The school is located adjacent to a cluster of buildings forming part of the local IRGC barracks and support buildings, including a medical clinic and a cultural complex.^{The Guardian} Despite its proximity to the IRGC complex, the school’s classroom building and playground were walled off, and colorful murals on its walls were visible in satellite imagery, indicating it was not a military-use building.^{The Guardian}

Shiva Amelirad, a representative of the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, stated that the school also enrolled children from the local community, particularly those who could not afford private school fees.^{The Guardian}

Questions of Intent and International Law

The strike pattern raises fundamental questions about the accuracy of the intelligence information used in the bombing.^{Al Jazeera} Some observers suggest the attack may have been a deliberate targeting of the school, a claim that, if substantiated, would constitute a grave violation of international law. UNESCO has already described the killing of pupils in a place dedicated to learning as a “grave violation” of the protection afforded to schools under international humanitarian law.^{The Guardian}

The U.S. Military stated it was “looking into” the bombing, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Department of War “would be investigating” if the strike was conducted by U.S. Forces, adding that the U.S. “would not deliberately target a school.”^{Al Jazeera}

Iranian authorities issued orders for schools to close shortly after the initial attacks began at 9:40 am, but it remains unclear whether the warning reached Minab before the strike, or if parents had sufficient time to retrieve their children.^{The Guardian}

Broader Context and Civilian Toll

The Minab school bombing represents the worst mass casualty event of the recent conflict to date. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports at least 555 people have been killed across the country, while the U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reports at least 742 civilian deaths, including 176 children.^{Al Jazeera}

Following the attack, misinformation spread online, including false claims that the footage was old or that the school was struck by a misfired Iranian missile. These claims have been debunked.^{The Guardian}