Minab School Bombing: The Unfolding of a Tragedy in Southern Iran
In the aftermath of a devastating strike, debris lies scattered across the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, southern Iran. This incident, part of the US-Israeli bombing campaign, has resulted in one of the worst mass casualty events of the ongoing conflict, with reports indicating up to 168 fatalities. The Guardian has meticulously reconstructed the events using verified footage, geolocated images, and satellite data to provide a comprehensive visual guide.
The Scene of Destruction
Above the school's pastel murals depicting trees, paintbrushes, crayons, and microscopes, thick black smoke billows into the sky. The force of the blast has shattered glass windows, leaving curtains hanging in tatters from the frames. Against a burned-out wall, remnants of a playground are visible: a red plastic slide and a jumble of child-sized chairs lie amid the ruins. On an overturned bookshelf, a pair of pink plastic sandals sit neatly placed, now coated in dust from the explosion.
The missile struck during the school's morning session, which in Iran runs from Saturday to Thursday. At approximately 10 am on Saturday, as US and Israeli bombs began falling, classes were in full swing. Between 10 am and 10:45 am, a direct hit demolished the concrete building of Shajareh Tayyebeh school, killing dozens of girls aged seven to twelve.
Graphic Evidence and Human Toll
Verified photographs and videos from the site, though too graphic for publication, reveal harrowing scenes. Children's bodies are partially buried under debris, with one video showing a very small child's severed arm being pulled from the rubble. Colourful backpacks, stained with blood and concrete dust, are scattered among the ruins. A girl in a green dress with gingham patches on her pockets and collar is partly obscured by a black body bag, while screams echo in the background.
A distraught man stands amid the wreckage, waving textbooks and worksheets as rescuers dig through the debris by hand. "These are the schoolbooks of the children who are under these ruins, under this rubble here," he shouts. "You can see the blood of these children on these books. These are civilians, who are not in the military. This was a school and they came to study."
Verification and Context
According to Iranian state media, the strike killed up to 168 people and injured 95, though these figures remain unverified by independent sources. With reporting restrictions and internet blackouts in Iran, The Guardian relied on cross-referenced video footage, satellite imagery, and interviews to confirm details. The school's location was verified through open-source intelligence, the Iranian student network, and fact-checking services, placing it adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) complex.
This complex includes a medical clinic, pharmacy, and a cultural centre, all bearing IRGC logos. However, there is no indication the school served military purposes; it is walled off from the compound and features colourful murals visible in satellite images. Shiva Amelirad, a representative of Iranian teachers' unions, noted that the school enrolled many local children from families unable to afford private fees, making it a community hub.
International Response and Investigations
The timing of the bombing, during the first round of US-Israeli strikes, and nearby smoke suggest the school was hit as part of attacks on the IRGC complex. The US military has stated it is "looking into" the incident, with spokesperson Capt Tim Hawkins acknowledging reports of civilian harm. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the Department of War would investigate if it was a US strike, asserting "we would not deliberately target a school."
Iranian authorities issued school closure orders shortly after the attack began at 9:40 am, but it is unclear if warnings reached Minab in time. Amelirad reported that the interval between the announcement and the explosion was very short, leaving families no opportunity to retrieve their children.
Aftermath and Misinformation
The death toll overwhelmed local morgues, necessitating refrigerated vehicles to store victims' bodies. Misinformation quickly spread online, with false claims that footage was from Pakistan or that the school was hit by a misfired IRGC missile, both debunked by evidence.
Unesco has condemned the attack, calling it a "grave violation" of international humanitarian law and urging protection for schools. The broader conflict has already claimed a high civilian toll, with reports of hundreds killed, including numerous children.
Impact on Minab
For Minab, a small town near the Sea of Oman reliant on agriculture, the loss of up to 168 young girls is devastating. Amelirad highlighted that victims came from many families, with some losing multiple children. This tragedy underscores the severe human cost of the conflict and raises urgent questions about adherence to international norms in warfare.
