Middle East crisis deepens as 51 die in strike on Iranian school

Saturday 28 February 2026 - 13:00

At least 51 people were killed on Saturday in a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to reports from state media, marking a sharp increase in the previously announced toll.

The attack occurred in Minab, located in Hormozgan Province, an area along Iran’s southern coastline. Authorities said at least 45 others were wounded in the incident, many of them students and school staff.

The strike followed a series of air operations launched against Iran by Israel and the United States, in what officials described as part of a broader military campaign. The escalation has significantly heightened tensions across the Middle East, raising fears of further retaliatory action.

Iranian authorities condemned the attack, calling it a violation of national sovereignty and international law. There has been no immediate detailed response from Israeli or U.S. officials regarding the specific strike on the school.

Human rights advocates and international observers have voiced alarm over the growing number of civilian casualties. Attacks affecting educational institutions are considered particularly concerning due to their impact on children and the broader community.

As the situation develops, diplomatic efforts appear strained, with global leaders urging restraint and warning that continued escalation could destabilize an already volatile region.