Chicago – March 03, 2026
Iran held a mass funeral on March 3, 2026, for dozens of schoolgirls and staff killed in a US-Israel airstrike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran. Thousands gathered, chanting against the US and Israel, as the death toll from the February 28 attack climbed to 165, mostly girls aged 7-12.
Incident Details
The strike hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh (Good Tree) girls’ school around 10:23 AM local time on February 28, during the first wave of US-Israel military operations against Iran. Iranian officials report a guided missile caused the roof to collapse, killing 165 and injuring 95, with rescue efforts ongoing amid rubble. Satellite images confirm the school was intact before the hit, raising questions about targeting.
Casualties and Response
Predominantly young students died, described by Iran’s health ministry as “young martyrs,” in what state media calls the deadliest single incident of the conflict. UNESCO condemned the bombing as a “grave violation,” and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai criticized it. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed the “crimes will not go unanswered.”
US and Israel Denials
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated forces “would not deliberately target a school.” Israel’s military said it was “unaware” of operations in the area, while investigating claims. An Al Jazeera probe suggests the strike may have been deliberate or based on outdated intelligence.
Source: Aljazeera
