United Nations experts have called for an urgent and independent investigation into an attack on a girls’ school in southern Iran that reportedly killed 165 pupils during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The strike targeted a primary school in Minab, located in Iran’s Hormozgan Province, on the first day of the war. According to reports, most of the victims were girls aged between seven and 12 years who were attending classes at the time of the attack.
UN experts condemn school attack
In a statement released on Friday, UN experts described the incident as a “grave assault on children” and raised serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.
“An attack on a functioning school during class hours raises the most serious concerns under international law and must be urgently, independently, and effectively investigated,” the experts stated.
They emphasised that targeting educational institutions during active school hours is unacceptable and called for full accountability if international law violations are confirmed.
The experts further noted that such incidents represent an attack not only on children but also on education and the future of affected communities.
Rising civilian toll in conflict
The attack has intensified global concern over the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Iranian state media reports indicate that at least 1,332 people have been killed since the war began.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told reporters that the school had been deliberately destroyed during the attacks.
“As a result, 165 innocent schoolgirls were martyred,” he said while addressing journalists.
Human rights groups and legal experts have pointed to the incident as an example of the growing civilian toll of the conflict.
Investigations underway
Reports from international media organisations suggest that investigators are examining whether United States forces may have been responsible for the strike while targeting a nearby naval facility linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Quoting unnamed officials, Reuters reported that US military investigators believe American forces were likely responsible for the strike.
Satellite imagery and verified footage analysed by international media organisations also indicate that the strike may have occurred during attacks on a nearby military installation.
The White House has stated that the incident is currently under investigation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States military does not intentionally target civilians.
Calls for accountability and justice
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed that investigations into the incident must be transparent and prompt.
He emphasised that accountability, compensation for victims and measures to prevent future incidents are essential.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups have urged Iran to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate alleged war crimes linked to the conflict.
Experts say the tragedy highlights the devastating impact of armed conflicts on civilians, particularly children, and reinforces the urgent need for international accountability mechanisms.