U.S. Attack on the Shajareh Tayyiba School in Minab

U.S. Attack on the Shajareh Tayyiba School in Minab

Conflict	Missile strike on a school in Iran
Date	February 28, 2026
Place	Minab, Hormozgan Province
Cause	The unilateral attack of the United States and Israeli Regime on Iran
Result	Martyrdom and wounding of over a hundred elementary school students
Belligerents
United States forces

The U.S. Attack on the Shajareh Tayyiba School in Minab was one of the terrorist actions of the United States and the Zionist regime on the first day of the Ramadan War on February 28, 2026, during which the Shajareh Tayyiba School in the city of Minab, Hormozgan Province, was targeted by several American missiles. This attack, carried out by the United States, resulted in the martyrdom of 156 people, mostly students, and the wounding of 95 others. Numerous pieces of evidence indicate that this attack was intentional.

Iranian officials and initial investigative reports hold the United States responsible for this action. The attack has met with widespread condemnation from Iranian officials, UNESCO, the UN Secretary-General, and the Director of the Islamic Seminaries (in a letter to the Pope).

Motivations and Description of the Event

In the early hours of the joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, the Shajareh Tayyiba elementary school for girls in Minab, Hormozgan Province, was hit by Tomahawk missiles. Following this attack, 156 innocent people were martyred and 95 others were wounded. The martyrs included 120 students (73 boys and 47 girls), 26 female teachers, seven parents (four men and three women), a school bus driver, a pharmacy technician from the clinic adjacent to the school, and a six-month-old fetus.

A mural in Tehran's Railway Square adorned with images of the Minab students

According to reports, two American Tomahawk cruise missiles struck the school during this attack. After the first impact, those present sought refuge in parts of the building, including the prayer hall, but subsequent strikes also targeted that location.

Various speculations have been raised regarding the motivation for this attack. These include the possibility of sacrificing adolescent girls for rituals related to the idol Baal or an attempt to engage Iranian military forces within the country to reduce their focus on the battlefronts against the United States. It is said that several students at this school were the children of IRGC Navy personnel.

Simultaneously with the attack on the Minab school, a gymnasium and an elementary school in the city of Lamerd, Fars Province, were also targeted by U.S. and Israeli missile strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 civilians.

Responsibility for the Attack

Preparation of the burial site for the Minab students

Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran consider this attack intentional and the result of direct actions by American forces. According to a Reuters report citing two American officials, initial investigative results also confirm the role of United States forces in this attack. Furthermore, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, reacting to this event, held U.S. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Defense responsible for the attack. However, Trump claimed that Iran also possesses American Tomahawk missiles and attempted to blame the catastrophe on Iran. Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate, called Trump's claim "beyond stupidity" and noted that Iran does not possess Tomahawk missiles. The New York Times also called Trump's claim about the Minab school attack a lie, stating that Iran does not have Tomahawk missiles, as the transfer of these missiles to other countries is only possible with the approval of the U.S. State Department. Amnesty International also identified the United States as responsible for this attack. Moreover, the impact of several projectiles on the school refutes the hypothesis of an accidental strike and confirms it was intentional.

Protest against the massacre of Minab students in front of the White House

According to experts, the missiles that targeted this school were launched from the country of Bahrain.

Reactions

The funeral procession for the students of the Minab school

This attack has faced widespread reactions: Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, called it an unforgettable event for the people of Iran. The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as a "blatant crime." UNESCO called the attack a "serious violation of humanitarian law." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned it. The UN Human Rights Council condemned the attack and called for an investigation. The Prime Minister of Italy also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs.

Alireza A'rafi, the Director of Islamic Seminaries, in a letter to Pope Leo XIV sent simultaneously with the assassination attempt on the Iranian leader Sayyid Ali Husayni Khamenei, described the attack on the school as a clear example of a war crime. He asked the Pope to condemn this crime and to deny any connection between it and the teachings of Christianity.

Lego animation of revenge in memory of the Minab martyrs (Operation Wa'da-yi Sadiq 4)

It has been stated that the location of this school will be converted into a museum as a document of American crimes.

It is reported that by the order of Ayatollah al-Sistani (a) and with the cooperation of the Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a), the school will be rebuilt with modern equipment and as a smart school. Some philanthropists and celebrities have also announced their cooperation in building the school in Minab.

According to the head of the Organization for Development, Renovation, and Equipping Schools, two schools named after the martyrs of Minab and 168 schools in memory of the 168 martyred students will be built across the country. The Iranian negotiating team that traveled to Pakistan on April 10, 2026, for negotiations with the U.S. named their delegation "Minab 168" in memory of the Minab martyrs. In initial statistics, the number of martyrs from this school was announced as 168, but the final count was reported as 156.

Memorials and commemorative ceremonies were held in various cities in Iran and countries worldwide, including Pakistan, Mexico, and Canada.

Artistic Works

Lego animation of the moment of the attack on the Shajareh Tayyiba school in Minab.

In response to and condemnation of the attack on the Minab school and in memory of its martyrs, several artistic works have been produced and published in Persian. The track "Zang-i Parwāz" (flight bell) performed by Ghulamrida San'atgar, "Bikhab Ārum" (sleep peacefully) by Zanko, "Insha-yi Ākhar" (the last essay) by Mohsen Hosseini, "Gul-i Mīnāb" (flower of Minab) and "Muha-yi Khaki" (dusty hair) by Reza Sadiqi, and "Nuqṭa-yi Payan" (the end point) by Hamid Humayun are among the artistic works produced and broadcast in memory of the Minab martyrs.

The Music Association of Iran has collected and published the works produced by artists in memory of the martyred students of Minab in the album "Firishtigān-i Mīnāb". The Director-General of the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also announced the production of a symphony regarding the martyrs of the Shajareh Tayyiba school in Minab.

Street performances in memory of the Minab students were held in various cities in Iran, including the national theatrical event "Bi Kudamin Gunah?" (For What Sin?), which was held in 21 provinces of Iran on the 40th day after the martyrdom of the Minab students.

The International Peace Association of South Korea held a photo exhibition of the American crime at the Minab school with the slogan "We honor the memory of the innocent girls who were martyred in the American Tomahawk missile attack" on the west side of the National Assembly of South Korea.