A missile strike in southern Iran has reportedly killed at least 80 children after hitting an elementary school, according to Iranian state media — marking what could become the deadliest single incident since the start of joint U.S.-Israeli military operations this weekend.
The strike allegedly hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh all-girls school in the city of Minab on Saturday morning, just after parents had dropped off their children. Dozens more students are said to be missing. While the reported death toll has not been independently confirmed, video footage from the scene has been verified by multiple outlets as authentic and appears to show heavy smoke, charred walls and panicked crowds gathering outside the destroyed building.
The school is reportedly located near a Revolutionary Guards facility, raising questions about whether the area was considered a military target. If the casualty numbers are confirmed, it would represent the largest mass loss of civilian life since President Donald Trump announced the beginning of what he called “major combat operations” against Iran.
Across the country, residents described a chaotic and emotional day as explosions rocked cities including Tehran. Some families rushed to retrieve children from schools as closures were announced. Others sheltered indoors, while traffic gridlocked major roads as word of the strikes spread.
The attacks come in the middle of fragile diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, and just weeks after Tehran violently suppressed nationwide anti-government protests. Human rights groups have reported thousands of deaths during the crackdown, leaving many Iranians already traumatized before the latest escalation.
Reactions inside Iran appear deeply divided. Some citizens expressed fear and heartbreak over potential civilian casualties, particularly involving children. Others, especially critics of the current government, voiced conflicted emotions — balancing concern for innocent lives with hope that outside pressure could weaken the regime.
Several residents said they had been preparing for weeks, anticipating possible strikes. Many had stockpiled water, food and supplies, though few reported having access to bomb shelters. Internet disruptions were also reported in parts of the country, though it remains unclear whether those outages were caused by cyberattacks or overloaded systems.
President Trump defended the military campaign, urging Iranians to “take over your government” as U.S. and Israeli forces targeted what officials describe as strategic military and government sites. The administration has not yet publicly addressed the reported school strike.
Images from Tehran show smoke rising over the skyline and vehicles burning in the aftermath of explosions. While some of the early strikes appeared aimed at government compounds and military infrastructure, the reported school bombing underscores the devastating human toll that can accompany urban warfare.
As rescue efforts continue in Minab and tensions escalate across the region, the world is watching closely. If confirmed, the deaths of dozens of children would likely intensify international scrutiny of the operation and raise urgent questions about civilian protections in modern conflict.
For families in southern Iran, however, the focus is far more immediate — searching rubble, awaiting news and mourning unimaginable loss.
