Minab, Feb 28: The death toll from a joint US-Israeli strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran has risen to 40, according to reports from the Associated Press. The strike, located in the city of Minab, occurred as part of a broader daylight military operation that has sparked significant disruption across Middle Eastern travel corridors.
The escalation began on Saturday when Israel launched an aerial assault on Iran’s capital. Witnesses in Tehran observed heavy smoke rising from the downtown district, with the initial strike reportedly occurring near the administrative offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The attack was conducted to remove threats,” Israeli officials stated earlier, though they provided no specific details regarding the targeting of educational facilities. Iranian state media has since reported the high casualty count in Minab, describing the scene as a major humanitarian crisis.
The military activity has led to a total shutdown of regional aviation. The United Arab Emirates, which serves as the hub for Emirates and Etihad Airways, joined Israel in closing its national airspace. Qatar Airways Group also announced the temporary cancellation of all flights to and from Doha, citing the closure of Qatari airspace.
Aviation authorities noted that several planes en route to Israel were forced to reroute to alternative airports. Meanwhile, passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport were shuttled back from terminal gates as flight operations ceased.
Sources maintained that the United States is participating in the strikes, which come amid the deployment of a vast fleet of warships and fighter jets to the region. While officials in Washington have not issued a detailed statement on the Minab school casualties, they affirmed that the military presence is intended to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program.
