Tehran: At least 181 children have been killed in Iran during the ongoing attacks linked to the United States–Israel alliance, according to a report released by UNICEF. The UN agency said the deaths occurred during a week-long military escalation against Iran, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians, particularly children.
The most heartbreaking incident was reported from Minab in southern Iran. On February 28, a missile strike reportedly hit a girls’ school while classes were in progress. UNICEF estimates that around 168 children aged between 7 and 12 were killed in the attack. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that about 175 children died in the strike. UNICEF described the attacks as a grim reminder of the brutality of war, stating that while children never start wars, they often pay the highest price.
The report also noted that the conflict has severely damaged critical infrastructure across Iran, with at least 20 schools and 10 hospitals destroyed since the attacks began. This has disrupted education and healthcare for thousands of children. UNICEF urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and take urgent steps to protect civilians, especially children, while reaffirming its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.
