At least 40 people, including students, were killed on Saturday after Israeli-US airstrikes struck a girls’ school in Minab, marking the first confirmed fatalities in Iran amid the escalating military operation.
The coastal city of Minab reportedly hosts a base linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian media stated that strikes were reported in multiple cities, including the capital Tehran, where smoke was seen rising near key government areas.
Political rhetoric intensifies
Following the attacks, US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “seize control of your destiny” and rise against the leadership that has governed the country since 1979. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, stating that the joint operation aimed to create conditions for the Iranian people to determine their future.
Reports indicated that early strikes appeared to target areas around offices associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Retaliation across the region
In response, retaliatory strikes were reported targeting US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq temporarily shut down their airspace as tensions spread across the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement asserting that the country “will not hesitate” in defending itself. The ministry declared that it was time to confront what it described as military aggression.
The escalation follows weeks of heightened tension, including the movement of US naval assets into the region and diplomatic friction over Iran’s nuclear programme.
With casualties mounting and airspace closures affecting regional travel, global leaders are urging restraint as the Middle East braces for further developments.