Collective funeral held in Iran for 165 schoolgirls and staff killed in bombing

(Patria) - A collective funeral was held in Iran today for 165 schoolgirls and staff members who were killed in the Saturday attack by the US and Israel on a girls' school in the southern city of Minab.

Iranian state television showed thousands of people filling a public square in the city where the school was located. Men waved the Iranian flag, while they mostly stood separately from women.

A woman who identified herself as "Atena's mother" gave a speech on stage, holding up a picture with several portraits, calling it "a document of American crimes".

"They died on God's path," she said.

The crowd then began chanting "Death to America," "Death to Israel," and "No surrender.".

The attack occurred on Saturday after the US and Israel announced joint strikes on Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US and Israel of murdering the schoolgirls yesterday.

"These are graves being dug for more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of a primary school. Their bodies were torn to shreds.

This is how "rescue" promised by Mr. Trump looks in reality. From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood," Araghchi posted on platform X, along with a photo of freshly dug graves.

These are graves being dug for more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of a primary school. Their bodies were torn to shreds.

This is how "rescue" promised by Mr. Trump looks in reality.

From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood. pic.twitter.com/cRdJ3BELOn

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 2, 2026

Authorities in Tehran called for international action and solidarity after several hospitals and schools were hit by US and Israeli airstrikes.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated yesterday that the two countries "continue to indiscriminately attack residential areas, sparing neither hospitals, schools, nor cultural monuments".

The Israeli military claims it is unaware of any Israeli or US attacks in the area.

During the Gaza war, they denied multiple deadly attacks on Palestinian civilians, then retracted their claims when evidence emerged, calling the attacks "accidental".

"The Department of Defense would investigate it if it were our attack, and I would refer your question to them. The US would not intentionally target a school," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted yesterday in a statement to reporters when asked about the incident.

Over the weekend, the US Central Command told the media that it was reviewing reports of "civilian casualties resulting from active military operations".

The incident was condemned by UNESCO. Intentionally attacking an educational institution, hospital, or any other civilian structure constitutes a war crime, according to international humanitarian law.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding, stated yesterday that she was aware of the reports from Iran and noted that US officials had said they were investigating them.