School Strike in Iran: UN Experts Alarmed After Reports of Over 160 Children Killed
UN rights panel urges investigation after deadly attack on girls’ school
A United Nations panel has expressed deep concern after reports that a girls’ school in southern Iran was struck during recent military attacks, resulting in significant child casualties.
UN Panel Raises Alarm Over Child Deaths
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child said it was deeply disturbed by reports that more than 160 children were killed in a bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, coinciding with the first day of military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Calls for Investigation Into the Attack
The UN human rights office urged the forces responsible for the strike to conduct a thorough investigation and publicly share their findings. Officials did not identify which side carried out the attack.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, also raised the matter in a letter to UN human rights chief Volker Turk on March 1.
Statements From US and Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that American forces would not deliberately target a school.
Israel has also stated that it is investigating the incident to determine what occurred during the attack.
Concerns Over Civilian Infrastructure
The UN committee warned that strikes against civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals have devastating consequences for children.
The panel said such attacks not only cause deaths but also inflict long-term psychological trauma on young survivors.
Protection of Children in Conflict
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is composed of 18 independent experts responsible for monitoring global implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The body stressed that children must be protected from the effects of armed conflict and that their rights to education and safety must be safeguarded.
The reported strike on the girls’ school has intensified international concern over the protection of civilians during armed conflict. As investigations continue, the incident highlights the urgent need for accountability and stronger adherence to international humanitarian law to ensure that children and educational institutions are shielded from the devastating impacts of war.
Sources: Reuters (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: UN Rights Committee, Shajareh Tayyebeh School, Minab Iran Attack, Marco Rubio Statement, Civilian Infrastructure Strike