New York: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has condemned the bombing of a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, during U.S. and Israeli military attacks on the country, calling it a grave violation of humanitarian law.
The strike, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly killed around 150 people and wounded nearly 100, with many of the victims believed to be students.
In a statement issued Monday, UNESCO expressed deep alarm at the impact of the weekend’s military operations, stressing that schools and pupils are protected under international humanitarian law. The agency warned that “attacks against educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the right to education.”
The condemnation was echoed by other bodies and senior officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who denounced both the bombing and Iran’s retaliatory strikes on neighbouring countries.
Nobel Peace laureate and UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai also reacted, saying she was devastated by the attack. “The loss of innocent lives, especially children, is unbearable. I condemn this cruelty with all my heart,” she wrote in a social media post, urging an immediate end to the violence and accountability for those responsible.
Malala added: “All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools. Every child deserves to live and learn in peace.”
The bombing occurred amid a wider escalation in the region, which included the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the U.S.–Israeli strikes.
