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Mass Funeral in Iran After 165 Schoolgirls Killed in Reported US-Israel Strike
Thousands of mourners filled the streets of Minab in southern Iran as the country held a mass funeral for 165 schoolgirls and staff killed in what Tehran has described as a joint United States-Israeli air strike on a girls’ primary school.
The funeral ceremony, held on March 3, 2026, comes amid escalating regional conflict and growing international scrutiny over civilian casualties.
Thousands Gather in Minab
State television footage showed large crowds assembled in a public square in Minab, with men waving Iranian flags and women dressed in black chadors standing in separate sections. Families of the victims carried portraits of the deceased as chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoed through the gathering.
A grieving mother, identifying her daughter as Atena, addressed the crowd while holding printed photographs of the victims. She described the images as “a document of American crimes,” drawing emotional reactions from attendees.
The incident marks one of the deadliest reported civilian attacks in the ongoing confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
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Conflicting Accounts Over the School Bombing
Iranian officials have accused Washington and Tel Aviv of carrying out the strike. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that more than 160 innocent girls were killed when the school building was bombed, describing the incident as an attack on civilians.
However, the Israeli military has said it was not aware of any Israeli or U.S. operations targeting that area. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the United States would not deliberately target a school and said authorities would investigate if the strike was confirmed to be American.
US Central Command stated it was reviewing reports of possible civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations.
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International Reaction and War Crime Concerns
The reported attack has drawn condemnation from global organizations and activists. UNESCO denounced the strike on an educational institution, while Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also criticized the violence.
Under international humanitarian law, deliberately targeting schools, hospitals, and other civilian structures constitutes a war crime. United Nations officials have acknowledged the reports and noted that U.S. authorities are examining the allegations.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States and Israel of striking residential areas, schools, hospitals, and cultural landmarks amid the widening conflict.
Rising Regional Tensions
The funeral follows days of intensified military exchanges between Iran and its adversaries. Air strikes and missile launches have raised fears of a broader regional escalation, with civilian populations increasingly caught in the crossfire.
Tehran has called for international solidarity and action, while diplomatic channels appear strained. Analysts warn that civilian casualties could further inflame public sentiment and complicate efforts to contain the conflict.
As investigations continue and narratives clash, the tragedy in Minab underscores the devastating human toll of modern warfare. For families mourning lost children, geopolitical debates offer little solace.
