Nawal Al-Maghafi

A BBC investigation from Minab, southern Iran, documents the aftermath of a strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school that killed 156 people, including 120 children, during the 2026 U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Survivors, rescuers and parents describe the school’s destruction, the recovery and identification of victims, and the continuing grief of families. Satellite imagery, weapon analysis and military maps indicate that U.S. forces likely struck the school while targeting an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps complex, although Washington has not admitted responsibility. Preliminary reporting suggests outdated U.S. intelligence may have caused the school to be treated as part of a military site; a formal investigation remains unpublished. Iran has used the attack to challenge Washington’s claims that its campaign targeted only military and security infrastructure, while the incident has also divided Iranians who opposed the Iranian government but now view the strike as evidence of the human cost of foreign intervention.

A BBC investigation visits the ruins of Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, where a February 28, 2026 strike killed 156 people, including 120 children, a pregnant woman and school staff. Teachers, rescuers and relatives describe the destruction, the difficulty identifying victims and the continuing grief of families. Satellite imagery, video analysis and military maps indicate that a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps complex and also hit the school. Reports citing U.S. military sources suggest outdated intelligence may have led the school to be misidentified as part of a military site, but Washington has not acknowledged responsibility or released its investigation's conclusions. Iranian authorities use the tragedy to challenge the U.S. portrayal of the war as a precise campaign against military targets, while critics of Iran's government say the strike strengthened the regime's claim to be defending the population against foreign aggression.

An airstrike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran, on 28 February killed 156 people, including 120 children, a pregnant woman and her unborn child, according to local prosecutors. BBC reporting from the destroyed site documents survivors’ accounts, the recovery of fragmented remains and the continuing grief of families. Satellite imagery and weapons analysis indicate that a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck both the school and a neighboring IRGC complex, while preliminary reports suggest outdated intelligence may have caused the school to be misidentified as part of a military base. The United States has not accepted responsibility, says the investigation is ongoing and maintains that it does not target civilian sites. Iran has used the tragedy to condemn the campaign and challenge Washington’s portrayal of the war as a precise attack on military and security infrastructure.

A BBC visit to the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, southern Iran, documents the aftermath of a strike on 28 February that Iranian authorities say killed 156 people, including 120 children, a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Teachers, rescuers and relatives describe the destruction, difficult recovery of remains and continuing trauma. Expert video and satellite analysis indicates that a nearby IRGC facility was also targeted, possibly by a U.S. Tomahawk missile, but the United States has not accepted responsibility. A U.S. investigation remains unfinished, while Iran rejects claims that the school was part of an active military site. The attack has intensified debate over civilian protection and the wider consequences of the Iran war.

A US-led strike on a primary school in Minab killed 120 children and dozens of adults, becoming the deadliest civilian incident of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Survivors, teachers, and rescuers describe scenes of devastation as families identified children’s remains by clothing. Evidence suggests US forces unintentionally hit the school, located beside an IRGC compound, though Washington has not released its investigation findings. The tragedy has become a central narrative for Iranian authorities, reshaping public sentiment and exposing deep divisions within Iran over the conflict.

A US-linked strike on a primary school in Minab killed 156 people, including 120 children, during the opening hours of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Survivors and rescuers describe the destruction, failed rescue hopes and the devastating loss of pupils and staff. Evidence suggests US forces unintentionally hit the school while targeting an adjacent IRGC compound, though Washington has not released full investigative findings. The incident has become central to Iran’s narrative of civilian suffering, influencing domestic political divisions and shaping perceptions of the wider conflict.

Fishing activity in Iran’s Bandar Abbas has resumed following a tense period around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian IRGC forces had blocked shipping after US and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets. Cargo vessels seized by Iran remain detained as negotiations linked to a ceasefire continue. Residents describe the impacts of the conflict, including destroyed buildings and civilian casualties from strikes. Iranian officials downplay claims that the conflict weakened the country and warn the strait could be closed again if talks fail. Daily life is gradually returning, though many locals remain wary of speaking openly to foreign media.

Reporting from Bandar Abbas shows how tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted fishing and halted international shipping after Iran’s IRGC seized cargo vessels in response to US and Israeli strikes. Despite a partial reopening under a ceasefire framework, seized ships remain held and military activity persists. Residents describe bomb damage, casualties and economic hardship, while local officials insist the conflict has not weakened Iran and warn the strait could be closed again. The region continues to face uncertainty as Iran and the US negotiate terms of a fragile ceasefire.