Iran Criticises US for Deadly School Attack During Conflict

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has condemned a missile strike on an elementary school in Minab, which occurred during the initial phase of the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Addressing an urgent meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Araghchi characterised the attack as a deliberate action by the US, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 170 lives, the majority of whom were children.

This attack on February 28, 2026, marked the onset of hostilities in the region, following a series of strikes launched by the US and Israel. In a poignant video address to the council, Araghchi stated, "More than 175 students and teachers were slaughtered in cold blood in a calculated, phased assault." He further described the incident as a "war crime and a crime against humanity," urging the international community to respond with unequivocal condemnation and accountability.

UN rights chief Volker Turk echoed the call for justice, stating that the bombing elicited "visceral horror" and underscoring the necessity of a thorough investigation into the incident. Turk insisted that it was crucial for those responsible for the attack to be held accountable and for the investigation to be conducted transparently. He remarked, "The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents showed clearly who pays the highest price for war: civilians with no power in the decisions that led to conflict."

Amidst these developments, Mohaddeseh Falahat, a mother who lost two children in the bombing, also gave testimony before the council, describing the heartbreak of losing her children and calling for the tragedy not to be forgotten. "That morning was like any other," she recalled, highlighting the devastating impact of the attack on her family.

Reports indicate that the strike was a result of a targeting error by the US military, as preliminary findings suggest that a Tomahawk cruise missile mistakenly hit the school while targeting a nearby military base belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The New York Times reported that outdated data was used for the targeting coordinates in the strike, leading to the devastating consequences.

The US government has indicated that it is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bombing. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the military is looking into the matter, asserting that the US does not intentionally target civilians. "We will ensure that this is investigated fully and transparently," he stated.

In response to the attack, the UN Human Rights Council convened for an emergency debate, following a request from Iran, China, and Cuba. This discussion came shortly after another debate addressing Iran's military actions in the Gulf region, which resulted in a resolution condemning Iran's alleged aggression towards its neighbours.

While Iranian officials maintain that the school strike was a deliberate attack, US officials are under increasing scrutiny for their military operations in the region, especially considering the extensive civilian casualties reported. The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting civilians in conflict zones, with the UN rapporteur for education previously highlighting the devastating impact of military actions on schooling and children in the region.

The international community awaits the outcome of the investigations launched by both the US military and the UN into this tragic event. The hope remains that justice will be served for the victims and that such horrors will not be repeated in future conflicts.

In a broader context, Turk reiterated that the targeting of schools is a violation of international law and emphasised that the loss of innocent lives, particularly children, cannot be justified under any circumstances.