Attack on Iranian Elementary School Kills 168; China Condemns US-Israel Actions

On February 28, 2026, a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, was attacked, resulting in the deaths of 168 schoolgirls.

Ambassador Jia Guide, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, condemned the attack on Friday. He made these remarks during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, where an urgent debate on the incident was held at the request of Iran, China, and Cuba.

Wider Impact Reported by Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated at the debate that since February 28, over 600 schools across Iran have been damaged or demolished. These military actions, attributed to the US and Israel, have reportedly led to more than 1,000 students and teachers being killed or injured.

Details of the Minab Strike

The Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab was struck during US operations targeting a nearby Iranian military base. A preliminary investigation, as reported by The New York Times on March 11, indicated that the strike was a result of a targeting error.

China's Condemnation and Root Cause Assessment

Ambassador Jia Guide stated that the initiation of strikes against Iran by the US and Israel without UN Security Council authorization was the root cause of the tragedy. He asserted that these actions have led to casualties among Iranian citizens, violated human rights, and escalated tensions in the Middle East.

Call for Dialogue and Respect for Sovereignty

China maintains that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries should be fully respected. The ambassador stated that China condemns all acts that violate international law and indiscriminately target civilians and non-military facilities. China advocates for resolving international issues through dialogue and negotiation, urging all parties to seek peaceful solutions to protect human rights and stability in the Middle East.