Iran conducted a large funeral ceremony for 165 schoolgirls and staff members who were killed on Saturday in what Tehran has described as a joint United States–Israeli strike on a girls’ school in the southern city of Minab. According to Iranian authorities, the attack targeted civilians and resulted in significant casualties. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India shared an image showing freshly dug graves prepared for the victims. However, the Israeli military stated that it had no information regarding any Israeli or US operation in that specific area. Israel has previously denied involvement in civilian casualties during conflicts, reported Al Jazeera.
State television in Iran broadcast visuals on Tuesday of thousands gathering in a public square in Minab to mourn the victims. Men were seen waving flags of the Islamic Republic, while many women, dressed in black chadors, stood separately in observance. From a stage set up at the venue, a woman identifying herself as the mother of a girl named Atena displayed a printed sheet bearing portraits of the deceased, calling it evidence of what she described as American crimes. She declared that the victims had died “in the way of God,” prompting the crowd to raise slogans condemning the United States and Israel and vowing resistance.
The attack reportedly occurred after Washington and Tel Aviv announced coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, marking one of the deadliest episodes in the ongoing conflict involving Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the US and Israel of responsibility for the deaths. In a post on X, he stated that more than 160 young girls had been killed in what he termed a bombing of a primary school, adding that their bodies were severely damaged. He criticized former US President Donald Trump, contrasting promises of rescue with the devastation witnessed in Minab.
Iranian officials have urged the international community to respond, alleging that hospitals, schools, Red Crescent facilities, and cultural landmarks have been struck in recent air raids. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei claimed that residential areas were being hit indiscriminately. Meanwhile, the United States denied deliberate involvement in targeting a school. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that if such an incident involved American forces, it would be investigated, asserting that the US does not intentionally attack educational institutions. The US Central Command said it was reviewing reports of possible civilian harm, while UN official Rosemary DiCarlo noted awareness of the allegations and ongoing inquiries.