Tehran/Minab, Iran – February 28, 2026 – Iranian state-affiliated media reported Saturday that five students were killed when a girls’ primary school in the southern city of Minab, Hormozgan province, was struck during early-morning Israeli air attacks, marking a tragic civilian toll in the latest escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Mehr News Agency, quoting an unnamed provincial official, stated that the school was directly hit in the pre-dawn strikes. No additional details—such as the exact time of the strike, the number of injured, or the condition of other students and staff—were immediately released. Iranian authorities have not yet provided an official confirmation or independent verification of the casualty figures, and access to the site remains restricted amid ongoing military activity.
The reported school strike occurred as part of a broader joint US-Israeli military operation launched early Saturday, which targeted military infrastructure, missile production facilities, and reportedly senior political and military leadership across multiple Iranian provinces, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Israeli officials described the campaign—codenamed “Roaring Lion”—as pre-emptive to neutralize existential threats from Iran’s missile arsenal, nuclear-related activities, and support for regional proxy groups. The US designated its component “Operation Epic Fury.”
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released separate video statements confirming the coordinated action. Trump declared “major combat operations” underway, vowing to destroy Iran’s missile industry, navy, and proxy networks while preventing nuclear weapon development. He urged Iranian forces to surrender and called on civilians to overthrow the regime, acknowledging possible US casualties. Netanyahu praised the collaboration as historic and necessary to eliminate threats to Israel.
Iran condemned the attacks as a grave violation of sovereignty and launched immediate retaliatory missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory and US military bases in the Gulf region, including facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Iranian state media reported air defenses engaging incoming projectiles, with debris causing damage and at least one reported fatality in Abu Dhabi. Tehran vowed a “crushing” response, though the full scope remains unclear.
The strikes follow indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman, with the most recent round concluding in Geneva on Thursday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, after meeting US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, had described progress toward a deal as “within our reach” and stated that “peace is within our reach.” The sudden military action has cast serious doubt on the viability of ongoing diplomacy.
This is not the first direct confrontation in recent years. In June 2025, Israel initiated a 12-day war against Iran, with the United States later joining and conducting strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan). Those actions were reported to have set back—but not eliminated—Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to International Atomic Energy Agency assessments.
The reported civilian casualties at the Minab school have intensified international concern over the protection of non-combatants. The European Union, in a joint statement from Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, called for “maximum restraint,” protection of civilians, and full respect for international law. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability and nuclear non-proliferation while noting ongoing sanctions against Iran and the IRGC.
Gulf states expressed alarm over potential spillover, closing airspace in several areas and placing forces on high alert. Oil prices surged sharply amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session, with Russia and China condemning the strikes as violations of sovereignty, while Western allies urged de-escalation to prevent a broader war.
As missile exchanges continue and regional airspace remains volatile, the reported school strike has added a humanitarian dimension to the crisis. Independent verification of casualties and damage is challenging due to restricted access and conflicting narratives. The coming hours will be critical in assessing whether the conflict can be contained or spirals further, with global attention focused on civilian safety and the prospects for renewed diplomacy.
