‘My heart burns with pain’: Iranian mother tells UN of Minab school attack

An Iranian mother has delivered an emotional testimony at the United Nations, describing the devastating loss of her child in the Minab school attack, one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

“My heart burns with pain,” she said, recounting the moment she learned of the strike that destroyed a primary school in the southern city of Minab. Her statement highlighted the human cost of the conflict, particularly the toll on children and families caught in the violence.

The attack, which took place on Feb 28, targeted the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Hormozgan province. The strike killed more than 170 people, the majority of them schoolchildren, making it one of the most lethal single incidents of the war.

Speaking before the UN, the mother described the aftermath of the attack, including the destruction of classrooms and the loss of young lives. Her testimony comes amid increasing international concern over civilian casualties and the targeting of non-military sites during the conflict.

The Minab strike has drawn widespread condemnation from Iranian authorities and international organisations. Rights groups and global bodies have raised questions about whether the attack violated international humanitarian law, with some calling it a potential war crime.

Investigations into the incident have been ongoing, with conflicting claims over responsibility. Iranian officials have blamed the United States and Israel, while Washington has said it is examining the circumstances surrounding the strike. Independent analyses cited in reports have suggested the possibility of US involvement, though no final conclusion has been officially confirmed.

The mother’s statement at the UN adds to a growing number of testimonies from victims and families affected by the war. Her appeal underscores demands for justice, accountability, and greater international intervention to prevent further civilian casualties.

The Minab attack has become a symbol of the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, where escalating hostilities have led to mounting civilian deaths, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure.