Missile Strike on School in Southern Iran Kills at Least 108; Tehran Blames US and Israel

At least 108 people have been killed after a missile strike hit a school in southern Iran, according to local government officials, as tensions in the region continue to escalate amid ongoing air attacks. Iranian authorities claim the attack was carried out jointly by the United States and Israel, though neither country has confirmed targeting the school.

Officials reported that across Iran, recent aerial strikes have resulted in at least 201 deaths and 747 injuries. The incident has intensified international concern over civilian casualties as military confrontations in the region grow more severe.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned the school strike, describing it as a “barbaric act” and calling it another “dark chapter in the history of crimes committed by aggressors.” Iranian leaders have accused foreign forces of deliberately endangering civilian lives during military operations.

The United States and Israel have not verified claims that a school was directly targeted. Reports indicate that the building was located approximately 600 meters from a base belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which had reportedly been a primary objective of the air campaign.

According to a local official, three missiles struck the school in the city of Minab in Hormozgan province, causing extensive casualties and damage. Rescue teams from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were deployed to the site shortly after the incident to assist survivors and provide emergency aid.

The BBC reported that it had verified several video clips recorded after the explosion, showing smoke rising from a damaged structure while crowds gathered in panic and distress. However, international media organizations have stated that casualty figures cannot yet be independently confirmed due to restricted access for foreign journalists inside Iran.

The attack has sparked strong reactions on Iranian social media platforms. One Iranian living abroad, who opposes military intervention in the country, wrote that “the first victims of this war are the children of Minab,” referring to reports that dozens of schoolgirls were among those killed.

At the same time, public reactions have reflected deep divisions within Iranian society. Some users expressed skepticism toward official government accounts and argued that authorities share responsibility for failing to ensure civilian safety. One social media user wrote that even if the school was not intentionally targeted, the deaths of children highlight shortcomings in civil protection measures, citing the lack of shelters, internet shutdowns, and absence of warnings to keep students home.

The tragedy occurred as U.S. and Israeli forces were reportedly conducting sustained airstrikes across several Iranian cities throughout Saturday. Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that initial strikes had killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior commanders, though those claims have not been independently verified.

The incident has raised fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis and further escalation in an already volatile region, as international observers call for restraint and independent investigation into civilian casualties.