A devastating tragedy has unfolded in southern Iran following a reported joint military strike by the United States and Israel. According to the international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), at least 24 students were killed when an airstrike hit a school in Iran’s Hormozgan province.
Provincial officials, quoted by AFP and Iranian state media, confirmed that the attack targeted an area near the strategically critical Hormuz Strait — one of the world’s most vital maritime oil routes. The strike reportedly struck the Shajareh Tayyeba Primary School located in the city of Minab, in the southern province of Hormozgan.
Iran news
A local provincial authority stated that Israeli air power was responsible for the strike that resulted in the deaths of the young students. Another official also blamed Israeli forces for the attack, reinforcing claims made in Iranian state television reports.
According to the governor of Hormozgan, speaking to state media, the confirmed number of students killed in the bombing has now reached 24. The incident marks one of the deadliest reported civilian casualties in the latest escalation of tensions in the region.
Earlier on Saturday, February 28, a coordinated military assault was reportedly launched against Iran by the United States and Israel. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli positions.
The situation rapidly escalated beyond bilateral confrontation. Following Iran’s counterattack, multiple explosions were reported across several Middle Eastern countries. AFP reported that missile strikes were launched targeting U.S. military bases and positions across the region.
Explosions were confirmed in several major capitals, including:
More news
Riyadh in Saudi Arabia
Doha in Qatar
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates
Manama in Bahrain
Missile activity was also reported in Jordan, where U.S. military installations were believed to be among the intended targets.
Regional observers warn that the involvement of multiple countries and the expansion of military engagement across several territories could signal a dangerous new phase of conflict in the Middle East.
The reported attack on a civilian school has drawn particular concern due to the high number of child casualties. While full independent verification remains ongoing, Iranian authorities have strongly condemned the strike, calling it a violation of international norms and humanitarian principles.
As tensions continue to rise, the broader implications of this escalation remain uncertain. However, the loss of innocent lives — particularly schoolchildren — has intensified fears of a widening regional war that could destabilize the already fragile geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
