DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Azat TV) – A US-Israeli military strike on a girls’ school in Minab, located in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, resulted in the deaths of 40 students and wounded at least 45 others on Saturday, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. This tragic incident unfolded as the United States and Israel launched a major coordinated attack across Iran, aimed at crippling the Islamic Republic’s infrastructure and urging its populace to rise against the government.
Tragic Toll at Minab Girls’ School
The strike on the girls’ school in Minab has emerged as one of the most devastating civilian casualties reported in the initial hours of the large-scale military operation. Iranian state media, citing an unnamed Iranian governor, confirmed the death toll, highlighting the immediate human cost of the escalating conflict. The attack occurred amidst widespread aerial bombardments targeting various locations across Iran, including areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, as well as military and intelligence installations.
Details regarding the specific nature of the strike on the school were not immediately clear, but the high number of casualties among young students has drawn sharp condemnation from Iranian authorities. The incident underscores the profound risks to civilian populations when military operations of this magnitude are undertaken, particularly in densely populated areas.
Widespread US-Israeli Military Operations in Iran
The coordinated assault, described by US President Donald Trump as involving “major combat operations,” began on Saturday. President Trump, in a video statement, called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and “take over your government,” suggesting this would be their “only chance for generations.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that the “joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”
This marks the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against Iran, following weeks of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and its alleged support for regional proxies. The US justified the action by claiming Iran continued to develop its nuclear program and planned to develop missiles capable of reaching the US. Targets in the Israeli campaign reportedly included Iran’s military, symbols of government, and intelligence facilities, according to an official briefed on the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iran’s Retaliation and Regional Escalation
In response to the US-Israeli strikes, Iran launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, prompting a nationwide warning. Simultaneously, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard also launched attacks on US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Witnesses reported sirens and explosions in these areas, and Bahrain confirmed a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.
The rapid escalation led to the closure of airspace over the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, while sirens sounded in Jordan. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen also vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel, further broadening the scope of the regional conflict. The potential for disruption to global markets, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, remains a critical concern, with more than 14 million barrels per day of oil having passed through the strait in 2025.
The Human Cost Amidst Geopolitical Stakes
The tragic loss of life at the Minab girls’ school serves as a stark reminder of the humanitarian consequences of military conflict. While the US and Israel framed their operations as a response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional actions, the direct impact on civilians, especially children, immediately became a focal point. President Trump acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, stating that “that often happens in war,” a notable shift from his previous “America First” platform.
The broader context of this conflict includes long-standing grievances stretching back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which transformed Iran from a US ally to a formidable adversary. Recent years have also seen significant internal dissent within Iran, fueled by economic grievances and protests, which the government has met with crackdowns. The Human Rights Activists News Agency previously reported over 7,000 deaths in these crackdowns, with the government acknowledging over 3,000.
The strike on the girls’ school in Minab tragically underscores the devastating human toll of large-scale military conflicts, particularly when civilian infrastructure becomes caught in the crossfire of geopolitical objectives and calls for regime change.