Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi shared a disturbing image on his social media account in which he condemned the “murder” of more than 160 elementary school girls in Iran during the Israeli-American bombing.
An image sent by Araghchi shows cranes digging graves in multiple rows and columns. An Iranian minister said these graves were dug for “more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of an elementary school”.
“Their bodies were torn to pieces,” Araghchi said, adding: “This is what Mr. Trump’s promised ‘salvation’ looks like in reality. From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood.”
More than 150 people, including children, are believed to have died in an attack on a primary school in southern Iran, according to Iranian officials. Al Jazeera put the toll at 165.
According to the BBC, Iran blamed the US and Israel, but the US military’s Central Command (Centcom) said it was investigating reports of the incident. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it was “not aware” of any IDF operations in the area.
The girls’ school was located in the city of Minab in Hormozgan province, near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base that had previously been targeted.
The US and Israel launched massive attacks in Iran on Saturday, February 28.
In a statement posted on social media, UNESCO expressed deep concern at the impact of the military attacks, noting that pupils at a place of learning are protected by international humanitarian law and that “attacks against educational institutions threaten students and teachers and undermine the right to education”.
Iran is currently observing 40 days of public mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian state media reported. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after death (Arba’een) has immense spiritual weight.
The death follows US and Israeli strikes on Saturday (Operation Epic Fury/Lion’s Roar).
The office of Iran’s supreme leader has declared a period of national mourning, with flags at half-mast and public gatherings planned to honor the memory, closing a 37-year chapter in the Islamic republic’s history.
Authorities have increased security across the country, particularly in major cities such as Tehran, to prevent unrest and ensure public safety.
(With input from agencies)
