Iranian School Airstrike Kills Over 160, Mostly Children

Tragedy Strikes Iranian School: Over 160 Dead in Airstrike

MANAB, Iran – A devastating airstrike on an elementary school in Manab has claimed the lives of over 160 people, the majority of them children, according to Iranian officials. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through the region, with harrowing images emerging of the aftermath, including the digging of small graves for the young victims.

Grim Scene Unfolds at Shaj Taibbe Elementary

Video footage released by Iranian state media depicts the grim reality at the Shaj Taibbe Elementary School. The images show school bags strewn across the ground and classrooms reduced to rubble. One man, visibly distraught, showed a notebook with children’s drawings, its pages stained with what appeared to be blood, a poignant symbol of the innocent lives lost.

“By the time we arrived,” one mother recounted her harrowing experience in a phone interview with NBC News, “the entire school had collapsed on top of the children.” Her son, she revealed, was killed just two days before his eighth birthday.

Shaj Taibbe Elementary School, according to Iran’s Ministry of Education, was attended by 264 students, both boys and girls. Its proximity to a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base has drawn attention, though local officials and witnesses state the base has been inactive for the past 15 years. Satellite imagery from 2011 shows the school and the adjacent compound, with recent images from December 2025 appearing to show the schoolyard filled with people.

Accusations Fly as Iran Blames US and Israel

In the wake of the tragedy, Iran’s Foreign Minister has pointed fingers directly at the United States and Israel, accusing them of responsibility for the deadly strike. The allegations come amidst a tense geopolitical climate, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack and its potential ramifications.

Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The attack on the Shaj Taibbe Elementary School represents a profound loss for the community of Manab and for Iran. The targeting of a civilian educational facility, particularly one filled with children, is a grave concern and is likely to intensify existing regional tensions. As the international community awaits further details and potential investigations, the focus remains on the victims and the urgent need for accountability. The coming days will be crucial in understanding the full scope of this tragedy and its impact on ongoing conflicts and diplomatic relations.

Source: More than 100 killed in strike on an Iranian school (YouTube)