Iranian schools, hospital and landmarks among civilian sites hit during US-Israeli strikes

March 6, 2026

US and Israeli military strikes on Iran that began Saturday have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals, sports facilities, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, according to satellite imagery and verified videos. A US-based human rights organization reports 1,168 civilian deaths, including 194 children, though information flow is severely restricted due to an internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities. Residents describe Thursday night as the most intense bombing in Tehran, with many comparing conditions to dystopian scenarios.

Who is affected

1,168 civilians killed, including 194 children (according to HRANA)
168 people killed at a school in Minab on Saturday morning
20 people killed at a sports hall in Lamerd on Saturday
Patients at Gandhi Hospital in Tehran, including a baby in an incubator who had to be evacuated
Tehran residents experiencing intense bombing
A Tehran resident's uncle with mental illness severely traumatized by the attacks
100,000 people who fled Tehran in the first 48 hours
Staff and visitors at the Grand Bazaar and Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage sites)
Cafe owner in central Tehran whose business was destroyed
Iranian Medical Council and hospital staff dealing with destroyed facilities

What action is being taken

US and Israeli forces are conducting strikes on Iran
1,000 to 2,000 vehicles are fleeing Tehran each day, mostly heading north
The US Defence Secretary stated the blast at the Minab school is under investigation
BBC Verify is documenting and verifying damage to various sites
UNESCO has provided locations of World Heritage List sites to all parties
Iranian authorities are maintaining an almost total internet blackout nationwide

Why it matters

This military operation represents a significant escalation affecting Iranian civilians on a large scale, with damage to protected sites under international humanitarian law including hospitals, schools, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The attacks raise serious questions about compliance with international law regarding proportionality and the protection of civilian infrastructure during armed conflict. The near-complete internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities prevents the full scope of civilian casualties and damage from being documented in real-time, creating an information crisis that may result in permanent gaps in the historical record. The mass exodus of 100,000 people from Tehran within 48 hours indicates the severity of the humanitarian crisis, while attacks on cultural heritage sites threaten irreplaceable historical landmarks that have stood for centuries.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC