At Least Five Killed in Strike on Girls’ School in Southern Iran as Regional Violence Escalates

At least five people have been killed following an airstrike on a girls’ primary school in southern Iran, according to local officials, marking one of the deadliest single incidents since the latest wave of regional attacks began.

The strike reportedly hit Minab Girl’s Primary School in Hormozgan province. Authorities in the area blamed Israeli forces for the attack. One local official stated that “in today’s attacks by the Zionist regime on Minab city, a girls’ elementary school was targeted and so far five students have been martyred.”

Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported a significantly higher toll, claiming that more than 40 people were killed and an additional 45 injured. However, no further details were provided regarding the identities of the victims or the severity of the injuries.

Minab is believed to host a base linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful military body central to Iran’s security structure.

The strike occurred hours after US President Donald Trump warned the IRGC to lay down its arms or “face certain death.” In a speech earlier in the day, Trump pledged to “raze” Iran’s military infrastructure and called on Iranian citizens to remove the government of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from power.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed carrying out strikes on multiple targets in western Iran as part of a joint US-Israeli military campaign reportedly named Operation Roaring Lion. An Israeli official said the operation had been planned for months and was intended to exceed the scale of previous strikes conducted last year.

In Tehran, traffic gridlock was reported as residents attempted to flee the capital amid fears of further attacks. Witnesses described long queues at petrol stations and cash machines, while images shared online showed damaged vehicles and debris scattered across city streets. Many residents expressed concern over a potential internet blackout that could cut off communication with relatives abroad.

Maryam, a 54-year-old resident of Tehran, told Reuters she was leaving the city with her family for northern Iran. “We are being killed by the regime and by Israel. We are the victims of this regime’s hostile policies,” she said.

In his address, Trump urged Iranian civilians to remain sheltered during the operation, suggesting they would later have the opportunity to “take over the government.”

Satellite imagery cited by international media appeared to show extensive destruction at a compound in Tehran believed to be linked to Khamenei’s residence. Reports indicate he was not present at the location during the strike and had been moved to a secure site. He has not appeared publicly for several days.

Officials have also reported that several senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and political figures were killed in the broader series of attacks. The violence has extended beyond Iran, with airstrikes reported near a US air base in Bahrain.

Explosions were also heard in parts of the United Arab Emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, prompting flight suspensions. Doha airport in Qatar, a major regional travel hub, was likewise affected as airlines responded to the rapidly deteriorating security situation across the Gulf.