UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Child Deaths in Iran as School Strike Highlights War’s Devastating Toll
A new statement from UNICEF has reinforced growing concerns over the devastating toll that escalating hostilities in Iran are taking on children, following reports of a deadly missile strike on a girls’ school in Minab.
In its March 6, 2026 statement from Amman, UNICEF said it is “deeply concerned about the deadly impact the ongoing military escalation in Iran is having on children,” noting that about 180 children have reportedly been killed and many more injured since the violence intensified.
The agency highlighted the 28 February strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, in southern Iran, which reportedly killed 168 girls while classes were in session. According to available reports, most of the victims were schoolchildren between the ages of 7 and 12. UNICEF also said 12 additional children were killed in attacks on other schools across five locations in the country.
Describing the deaths as “a stark reminder of the brutality of war and violence on children,” the organization warned that such tragedies affect not only individual families but entire communities for generations.
The agency stressed that schools and children are protected under international humanitarian law and must remain places of safety, even during armed conflict. However, the escalation of military strikes across parts of Iran is increasingly exposing children to danger while also damaging essential civilian infrastructure.
According to UNICEF, at least 20 schools and 10 hospitals have reportedly been damaged, disrupting children’s access to education and critical health services.
UNICEF has called on all parties involved in the hostilities to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of civilians, particularly children. The organization said it continues to monitor the situation closely and stands ready to support humanitarian efforts aimed at assisting affected children and families.
