The Middle East situation is spiraling out of control as US and Israeli military operations against Iran produce mounting civilian casualties. International concern is growing after more than 100 people died at an elementary school in southern Iran, raising the possibility of a strong military response from Tehran.
According to the Financial Times on Saturday (local time), Hormozgan Province Governor Mohammad Ashouri said Shajareh Tayebeh Elementary School in the coastal city of Minab was struck at 10:45 a.m. Approximately 170 female students were in the school at the time. Confirmed casualties stand at 148 dead and 95 wounded. In Iran, Thursday and Friday are weekend holidays, making Saturday a school day. Rescue operations continue as some victims remain buried under debris.
The attack is being called unusual for targeting a time of peak civilian activity, unlike typical airstrike patterns. The Guardian reported that "in modern warfare, airstrikes typically begin at night to neutralize air defenses and maximize confusion." The British newspaper noted that "these bombs and missiles fell on Tehran around 9:15 a.m., when work had already begun and streets and offices were full of civilians." It characterized the US-Israeli strikes as "a decapitation attack aimed at eliminating Iran's leadership while disabling government institutions as broadly as possible."
Such civilian casualties could fuel calls for retaliation within Iran, observers say. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the school attack as "barbaric and inhumane," while the Foreign Ministry called it a "war crime."
Attention is also focused on the level of Iran's potential military response. According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran possessed approximately 3,000 medium-range ballistic missiles before the war with Israel began last June and is estimated to have used about 500. After partially restoring production facilities and rebuilding its capabilities, Iran is now believed to operate more than 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles.
Iran's missile inventory is considered the largest in the Middle East. According to the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Iran holds more missiles than any other Middle Eastern nation, most with ranges of approximately 2,000 kilometers—capable of striking anywhere in Israel.
US Central Command said it is "aware of reports of civilian casualties resulting from ongoing military operations and takes this seriously and is investigating." The statement added: "Protecting civilians is a top priority, and we are taking every possible precaution to minimize the risk of unintended harm."
