At least 24 students have been killed after an Israeli airstrike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan province, southern Iran. Earlier reports had indicated five fatalities, but provincial authorities confirmed the death toll has now risen to 24.
An Iranian provincial governor told Tasnim News Agency that the strike, part of joint US-Israeli operations, directly hit the school, resulting in mass casualties.
US and Israeli Role Confirmed
US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces have begun “major combat operations in Iran.” Israeli officials stated they launched a “preemptive strike” following multiple explosions in Tehran, targeting areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Israeli authorities named the operation “Roar of the Lion” and activated sirens across the country. Citizens received alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat as the Israeli military prepared for potential missile launches from Iran.
Iranian Retaliation Underway
Iran has launched retaliatory ballistic missile strikes targeting US military installations across the Middle East, including the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Ballistic missiles were also fired at Israel, with Israeli defence systems reportedly intercepting several incoming missiles.
Iranian officials emphasized that the attacks were in response to Israeli strikes on Tehran and other Iranian targets and labeled the US-Israel operation a violation of Iranian sovereignty and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
Escalation Across Iraq
The Kataib Hezbollah militia, part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, announced plans to target US bases in retaliation. Airstrikes on the Jurf al-Sakher base in southern Iraq reportedly killed two fighters, intensifying regional tensions.
US and Israeli Military Objectives
A US official told Al Jazeera that the ongoing operations aim to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus, with strikes coordinated between the US Air Force and the Israeli military. The focus remains on targets inside Iran.
The Israeli military is also intercepting missiles launched from Iran and has urged citizens to follow Home Front Command guidelines for safety.
Iran Demands International Condemnation
Iran’s Foreign Ministry called on the UN Security Council and the international community to condemn the attacks. Tehran cited Article 51 of the UN Charter to assert its right to self-defence and warned that its armed forces would respond “in a decisive and powerful manner.”
