'What was their crime?': BBC visits Iran school where strike killed 120 children

July 23, 2026

On February 28, a military strike devastated the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran, killing 156 people including 120 children, making it the deadliest single civilian incident in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The school, located adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound, was hit during morning hours while students were being dismissed early due to Ramadan observances. Evidence suggests US forces were responsible for the strike on the IRGC facility that destroyed the neighboring school, though the US has not officially acknowledged responsibility, with military investigators reportedly believing it was unintentional.

Who is affected

156 people killed, including 120 children, a pregnant woman and her unborn child
Teacher Amaineh Nademi and her first-grade students who were injured
Students from first through sixth grades at Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School
Parents who rushed to the school to collect their children
Teachers and school staff, including the headteacher and deputy headteacher who were killed
Rescue workers conducting ongoing search operations
The Minab community in southern Iran

What action is being taken

Teachers are praying at the site daily
Rescue workers are still searching for remains of those killed
Iranian authorities are showing the site to journalists as evidence of civilian casualties
US military investigators are reportedly examining whether US forces carried out the strike

Why it matters

This incident represents the deadliest single civilian casualty event in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, highlighting the severe unintended consequences of military operations near civilian infrastructure. The strike demonstrates how targeting military facilities located near schools and residential areas can result in catastrophic civilian losses, particularly affecting children. Iran is using this tragedy as evidence to counter the US narrative that the campaign is precisely targeting military and security infrastructure, instead showing significant civilian harm. The incident raises critical questions about target selection, civilian protection protocols, and accountability in modern warfare.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC