Thousands of mourners gathered in southern Iran this week to attend the funeral of dozens of schoolgirls killed in a devastating airstrike that struck a primary school in the city of Minab, in Hormozgan province.

The attack, which occurred on February 28, hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school during class hours, collapsing much of the building and trapping students and teachers under the rubble. According to Iranian authorities, between 165 and 180 people were killed, most of them girls aged between 7 and 12.

The tragedy has become the deadliest single incident in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, drawing international condemnation and sparking emotional scenes across the country. Funerals were held en masse, with rows of small coffins draped in white and carried through grieving crowds.

While Iranian officials blamed the strike on U.S. and Israeli forces, both countries have denied responsibility or stated that the incident is under investigation. Independent verification of the exact casualty figures and responsibility remains limited due to restricted access to the site.

Images from the aftermath show destroyed classrooms, scattered school supplies, and rescue teams working frantically to recover bodies. Reports suggest the school was located near a military site, raising questions about whether it may have been mistakenly targeted.

International organizations, including UNICEF, have expressed deep concern, emphasizing that attacks on schools violate international humanitarian law. The incident has intensified fears over rising civilian casualties as the conflict escalates.

As grief turns into anger, many are calling for an independent investigation and accountability, while families across Iran mourn a generation lost in a single morning.