UNESCO Condemns School Bombing in Iran as ‘Grave Violation’ of Humanitarian Law

The UNESCO has described the reported bombing of a primary school in southern Iran during recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes as a grave breach of international humanitarian law.

In a statement issued on Monday, the UN education agency expressed deep alarm over the destruction of a girls’ primary school in Minab, which was allegedly hit during a wave of attacks that began on Saturday and continued into Sunday. The strikes were carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Reports indicate that the missile strike destroyed the school, killing about 150 people and injuring nearly 100 others, with many students feared among the casualties.

UNESCO stressed that schools are protected spaces under international humanitarian law and warned that attacks on educational institutions endanger both students and teachers while undermining the fundamental right to education.

The agency joined other United Nations bodies and senior officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in condemning both the initial strikes and the retaliatory actions by Iran that reportedly affected several countries in the Middle East.

Also reacting, United Nations Messenger of Peace and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said she was heartbroken and appalled by the bombing.

“The killing of civilians, especially children, is unconscionable, and I condemn it unequivocally,” Malala wrote in a social media post. She called for an immediate end to the escalating violence across the region and urged accountability for those responsible.

“All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools,” she added. “Every child deserves to live and learn in peace.”

Malala became a global symbol for girls’ education after surviving a 2012 assassination attempt by the Taliban in Pakistan for speaking out against restrictions on female education.