Missiles reportedly struck and destroyed a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150 people and injuring nearly 100 others. Many of those killed are believed to have been students. The attack occurred amid continuing military strikes that extended into Sunday, intensifying concerns about the escalating violence in the region.
In a statement shared on social media, UNESCO expressed deep alarm over the destruction and its impact on children and educators. The organization emphasized that schools are protected under international humanitarian law and that attacks on educational institutions not only endanger students and teachers but also undermine the fundamental right to education. UNESCO joined other United Nations bodies and senior officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, in condemning both the initial military strikes and subsequent retaliatory attacks that affected several countries across the Middle East.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and United Nations Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai also condemned the bombing, saying she was heartbroken and appalled by the loss of life. She described the killing of civilians, especially children, as unconscionable and called for an end to the escalating violence. Malala urged all states and parties involved to uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools, stressing that every child has the right to live and learn in peace. Malala, who survived a 2012 attack by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education in Pakistan, has since become a global symbol of the fight for education rights.
