Micah Jonah
March 6, 2026
International calls are mounting for an independent investigation into a deadly attack on a girls’ primary school in southern Iran that reportedly killed at least 165 pupils, with United Nations experts describing the incident as a grave violation of international law.
The attack occurred in the city of Minab in Hormozgan Province during the early hours of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran.
According to a statement issued on Friday by a group of United Nations human rights experts, the victims were mainly girls between the ages of seven and twelve who were in class when the school building was struck.
The experts said an attack on a functioning school during school hours raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law and must be urgently and independently investigated.
They added that targeting a school constitutes a grave assault on children, education and the future of an entire community.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, alleged that the school was deliberately destroyed during US Israeli military strikes on the country.
He said the incident resulted in the deaths of 165 schoolgirls.
Investigations reported by Reuters quoting unnamed United States officials indicated that American military investigators believe US forces may have been responsible for the strike while targeting a nearby naval facility linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Analysis by The New York Times using satellite imagery and verified footage also suggested that US forces were most likely responsible for the attack as part of operations targeting the military base.
However, the White House said the incident remains under investigation.
White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt stated that the United States military does not intentionally target civilians.
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for a prompt and transparent investigation, stressing the need for accountability and possible compensation for victims.
Rights groups have also raised concerns that the attack could amount to a war crime if confirmed.
A United States based advocacy organization, Democracy for the Arab World Now, urged Iran to allow the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate alleged crimes committed since the start of the conflict.
The group said evidence continues to emerge of serious violations against civilians in Iran as the war escalates.
According to Iranian state media, the conflict has so far claimed at least 1,332 lives across the country.
