US Missile Strike Near School in Iran Sparks International Concern

A US Tomahawk missile strike in Minab, Iran, on February 28, 2026, has ignited international controversy after video footage and satellite imagery surfaced, indicating the strike occurred in close proximity to a girls’ elementary school. The incident, which took place on the first day of escalating US-Israeli attacks on Iran, resulted in a significant number of casualties, primarily schoolchildren, according to Iranian state media.

The Attack and Initial Reports

Iranian state media initially reported that missiles destroyed the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ primary school in Minab, resulting in over 150 deaths, mostly children MSN. The attack occurred during school hours and coincided with the first wave of US and Israeli operations against Iran. Initial reports from Iranian officials cited a death toll ranging from 168 to 180, with approximately 95 injured Wikipedia.

Evidence Points to US Involvement

New video footage, released by Mehr News and geolocated by Bellingcat, shows a US Tomahawk missile impacting an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility in Minab Bellingcat. The footage likewise reveals smoke rising from the area near the girls’ school. Analysis of satellite imagery by CBC News suggests the bombing was a precision strike targeting a military complex adjacent to the school CBC News. The CBC investigation confirmed a previous New York Times report stating the school building was formerly part of an IRGC base that continued to operate alongside the school.

Conflicting Narratives and Accusations

Esmail Bagaei, press secretary of Iran’s foreign ministry, condemned the attack as a “blatant crime” and called for international action CBC News. Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of indiscriminately targeting Iranian cities and causing civilian casualties. The Iranian Red Crescent announced that 201 people were killed and 747 injured in the strikes across Iran on February 28 Wikipedia.

Broader Context: 2026 Iran War

The Minab school airstrike occurred within the context of the escalating 2026 Iran war, triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Iran has responded with counterstrikes against Israel, as well as US military facilities in Bahrain and other Gulf states Wikipedia. The conflict has involved cyberwarfare and has had significant regional implications.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with CBC News analyzing satellite images and video footage to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the bombing. Experts consulted by CBC News suggest the targeting may have been based on faulty intelligence CBC News.