At least 80 children were killed after a missile strike hit a girls’ school in southern Iran on Saturday, according to Iranian state media reports cited by The Guardian, in what could be the deadliest single incident so far in ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against the country.
The strike reportedly hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in the city of Minab as part of broader attacks announced by President Donald Trump as “major combat operations.” Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said dozens more students remained unaccounted for.
The Guardian reported that video circulating online appeared to show heavy damage at the site, with smoke rising from destroyed buildings and crowds gathering in distress. The footage could not be independently verified immediately, though the outlet reported that fact-checkers and Reuters had matched the location to the school.
The school is located near a facility associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, according to the report.
Across Iran, residents described fear and uncertainty as strikes hit multiple locations, including areas near government compounds in Tehran. Some people expressed hope the attacks could weaken the country’s leadership, while others worried about civilian casualties in a nation already shaken by recent unrest.
The attacks began Saturday morning following weeks of escalating tensions and military buildup in the region. Trump said the operation aimed to eliminate threats posed by Iran and urged Iranians to oppose their government.
If confirmed, the reported deaths at the Minab school would represent the largest mass-casualty event linked to the current military campaign. Independent verification of casualty figures remained limited as of Saturday.
