Thousands Mourn in Iran After Deadly Strike Kills 165 Elementary Schoolgirls
Iranian officials attributed the strike to U.S. and Israeli military operations, though both Washington and Tel Aviv denied targeting the school and said they were reviewing the reports. The attack, which occurred on February 28, has sparked national outrage, drawing large crowds and widespread grief. The school identified by Iranian media as Shaja
reh Tayyebeh Girls Elementary School in Hormozgan province, suffered extensive damage and dozens more were injured. While some local reports claimed hundreds of thousands attended the funeral, independent verification of the exact number of mourners is not available. The United Nations called for a thorough and impartial investigation, emphasizing that attacks on civilians, especially children, violate international humanitarian law. UN officials urged all parties to ensure the protection of civilians amid ongoing military operations. The funeral highlights rising tensions in Iran following the military operations, with analysts warning it could further inflame anti-U.S. and anti-Israel sentiment and raise concerns about escalating regional violence. Source: Al Jazeera