Thousands attended a funeral in Minab, Iran, for over 150 schoolgirls allegedly killed in US-Israeli strikes. The UN condemned the attack, which is part of a wider regional conflict justified by the US as necessary to protect its interests.
Thousands Attend Funeral for Slain Schoolgirls
Iranian state media Press TV reported on Tuesday that thousands of people took to streets in a solemn funeral procession after over 150 schoolgirls were killed in Iran on Saturday following US-Israeli strikes in the country. Visuals shared by Press TV showed a sea of people, protesting against the killing of innocent young students who perished in the missile strike.
In a post on X, Press TV said, "Another perspective of the funeral procession for the martyrs of the US and Israeli regime's terrorist attack on Minab Elementary School." Another perspective of the funeral procession for the martyrs of the US and Israeli regime’s terrorist attack on Minab Elementary School. Follow: https://t.co/GKZwI4ehqL pic.twitter.com/Lni7Cji4UX — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 3, 2026
In another post it added, "A huge crowd of people is attending the funeral procession for over 165 innocent Iranian schoolgirls who were killed by the US and Israel on Saturday." A huge crowd of people is attending the funeral procession for over 165 innocent Iranian schoolgirls who were killed by the US and Israel on Saturday. Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/bDM0VfUhG6 — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 3, 2026
As per UN News, the death toll now stands at around 150, with almost 100 wounded after the US-Israeli strikes in Iran hit Minab Girls Primary School in the country's Hormozgan province. In a statement released on social media, UNESCO expressed deep alarm at the impact of the military attacks, which continued into Sunday, and noted that pupils in a place dedicated to learning are protected under international humanitarian law, and that "attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education."
US-Iran Conflict Escalates Across West Asia
The wide scale protests comes as a full-scale conflict erupted in West Asia involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, following a major "military offensive" launched on February 28. In a coordinated operation known as Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion, US and Israeli forces carried out large-scale air and missile strikes across Iran, targeting key military sites, nuclear-related infrastructure, and leadership compounds.
US Justifies Military Action
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) sent an official letter to Congress about the U.S. strikes against Iran, where he justified military action, reported Fox News. In his letter, Trump said that the strikes were conducted at his direction on February 28 to protect US interests, ensuring free flow of maritime commerce via Strait of Hormuz and for the collective self-defence of regional allies, including allies.
"At my direction, on February 28, 2026, United States forces conducted precision strikes against numerous targets within Iran including ballistic missile sites, maritime mining capabilities, air defenses, and command and control capabilities. These strikes were undertaken to protect United States forces in the region, protect the United States homeland, advance vital United States national interests, including ensuring the free flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, and in collective self-defense of our regional allies, including Israel," Trump wrote.
Trump added that no United States ground forces were used in these strikes, and the mission was planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties, deter future attacks, and neutralize Iran's malign activities.
Iran Retaliates Amid Calls for De-escalation
In response, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates alike.
World leaders and international bodies are currently urging de-escalation as the risk of a wider regional conflict grows, though fighting continues without a clear end in sight.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)