- Thousands mourn over 160 children killed in US-Israel strikes in southern Iran
- Strike hit Shajareh Tayyibeh girls elementary school in Minab on February 28
- Iran's Foreign Minister shared aerial image of mass graves for the young victims
As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its fourth day, thousands in Iran mourn the loss of over 160 children allegedly killed on the first day of the US-Israel strikes on the country. A video shared from the ground by Iran's official news agency showed thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral procession of students. Men can be seen weeping, grieving the loss of their loved ones. Some are seen holding a picture of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while others carry Iran's flag.
The reported strike took place at a girls' elementary school, Shajareh Tayyibeh School in the town of Minab in southern Iran on Saturday (February 28).
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Deliberately attacking an educational institution or hospital, or any other civilian structure, is a war crime under international humanitarian law.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, shared an aerial picture showing mass graves being dug to bury "innocent" girls. In the same post, Araghchi hit out at Trump and called it 'cold-blooded' murder. NDTV cannot verify the authencity of the image.
"These are graves being dug for more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of a primary school. Their bodies were torn to shreds. This is how "rescue" promised by Mr Trump looks in reality. From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood," Araghchi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Condemning the attack, Aragchi said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered."
"US Would Not Deliberately Target A School"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US forces "would not deliberately target a school" after reports of an attack on a girls' school surfaced.
"The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them," Rubio told reporters on Monday when asked about the incident. "The United States would not deliberately target a school."
