Malala Yousafzai condemns girls' school bombing in Southern Iran: 'Heartbroken and appalled'

Malala called for an immediate end to the escalation, urging justice and protection for civilians.

• Malala condemns US-Israeli strikes killing girls at Iran school
• At least 108 students killed in Minab, dozens more injured
• Iran retaliates with missile and drone strikes across the region

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Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, in the wee hours of Sunday, expressed heartbreak and outrage over the reported deaths of schoolgirls in southern Iran following US and Israeli strikes.

"They were girls who went to school to learn, with hopes and dreams for their future. Today, their lives were brutally cut short," Malala wrote on microblogging site X. "I am heartbroken and appalled by the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, including reports that a girls’ school in southern Iran was hit, resulting in the injury and death of many girls. The killing of civilians, especially children, is unconscionable, and I condemn it unequivocally", she says in her post.

They were girls who went to school to learn, with hopes and dreams for their future. Today, their lives were brutally cut short.I am heartbroken and appalled by the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, including reports that a girls’ school in southern Iran was hit, resulting in…

— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) February 28, 2026

She called for an immediate end to the escalation, urging justice and protection for civilians, “Every child deserves to live and learn in peace… All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools.”

The tragedy occurred at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in the southern city of Minab, where Iranian state media IRIB reported at least 108 students killed during class hours. Dozens more were injured, and rescue teams continue to search the rubble for survivors.

Video footage released by IRIB showed body bags stacked inside the school building, highlighting the scale of the attack. In response, local authorities declared a day of public mourning and urged residents to remain vigilant while supporting emergency efforts.

The strikes, described as part of a coordinated US-Israeli military operation, also reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran’s longest-serving ruler. President Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on social media, calling him “one of the most evil people in history,” though Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed the report.

The attacks targeted IRGC command centers, missile and drone launch sites, and Tehran government facilities. Israeli officials reported the deaths of IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour and senior advisor Ali Shamkhani. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the Middle East, hitting US bases and allied territories in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.