Iran Holds Funerals for Students and Staff After Alleged Deadly School Strike

Funerals have been conducted in the southern Iranian city of Minab for pupils and personnel who perished in what Iranian officials have described as a US- Israeli missile strike targeting a girls' educational facility.

Authorities in Iran have stated that more than 160 individuals lost their lives when three missiles struck the school on Saturday morning. This incident occurred amid widespread strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran's military installations and leadership. The BBC has indicated that it has not independently confirmed the reported casualty figure.

The school is situated approximately 600 metres from a base associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Given that Iran observes a Saturday-to-Thursday work week, the school would likely have been in session at the time of the reported strike.

State television broadcasts showed hundreds of mourners filling the streets for funeral processions. Coffin-bearers carried caskets adorned with the national flag through large crowds, accompanied by a narrator detailing the sorrow of parents who had lost their daughters.

President Masoud Pezeshkian characterised the strike as a "barbaric act" and "another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors."

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi shared an image on social media depicting rows of newly dug graves, accompanying it with the text, "This is how ‘rescue’ promised by Mr Trump looks in reality."

The US military has stated it is reviewing the reports of the incident, while the Israeli military has commented that it is "not aware" of any operations in the specified area.

When questioned about the possibility of an American missile hitting the school, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the United States would not intentionally target a school.

"The US would not deliberately target a school," Rubio stated. "We would have no interest, and frankly, no incentive to target civilian infrastructure."

A spokesperson for the United States Central Command, in a statement disseminated through US media, remarked, "We take these reports seriously. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimise the risk of unintended harm."

Footage has emerged showing smoke billowing from a damaged structure as onlookers congregate nearby, with some sounds of distress audible. Independent reporting from within Iran is constrained due to visa restrictions imposed on international news organisations.