Devastation at Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School Amid Military Conflict
Destruction of a Learning Environment
The Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, Iran, now stands in ruins. Just over two weeks ago, it was alive with the laughter of children, who enjoyed their time in sunny courtyards, donned matching uniforms, and engaged in their studies. However, the school was severely damaged during the initial phase of a military operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. A series of missiles, including an American Tomahawk, targeted a cluster of buildings within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound near Minab, resulting in the destruction of the school and several nearby structures. Iran's UN ambassador, Ali Bahreini, reported that 150 students lost their lives in the attack, while the Iranian Red Crescent reported a higher toll of 175.
Online Presence Before the Attack
School With An Online Presence
Prior to the attack, the school had an established online presence, with archived webpages showcasing numerous images of students engaged in various activities, from classroom learning to outdoor play. Many of these photos depicted girls in pink-and-white uniforms participating in school events. The school was also featured in a local online business directory, complete with images of the alley leading to its entrance, clearly indicating it was a girls' school.
Satellite imagery over the years revealed the school's function, with murals visible on its exterior as early as 2018. Playground markings were also evident in images taken shortly before the attack. These findings have raised concerns about how the site was classified as a military target. Most independent investigations suggest that American forces were likely responsible for the strike, with some reports indicating that outdated intelligence may have contributed to the targeting decision. The Pentagon has refrained from commenting on the school's online presence or the satellite imagery but confirmed that the incident is under investigation.
Proximity to Military Installations
School Compound Near Missile Base
The Shajareh Tayyebeh school was situated adjacent to the IRGC military facility in Minab, which is near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. State media has identified this area as housing one of the IRGC's largest missile bases. The school itself was separated from the main military compound by a wall adorned with colorful murals and was the northernmost structure impacted during the missile strikes on February 28. According to a Reuters report, satellite analysis indicated that at least seven explosions occurred along a line extending approximately 325 meters through the complex, causing significant damage to multiple structures, including the school. Between February 28 and March 2, the school and six nearby buildings were the only sites targeted within a five-kilometer radius of Minab, suggesting a deliberate targeting rather than collateral damage from a broader bombing campaign.
Educational Network Ties
A Network of Schools
The Minab campus was part of a larger educational network associated with the IRGC. Archived versions of the Persian Gulf Martyrs' Cultural Educational Institute's website reveal that the organization operated numerous schools throughout Iran, with the Shajareh Tayyebeh campus listed among 59 institutions in the network. Some of these schools, including those in Minab, were noted to be located near or within IRGC-controlled territories. The official address of the Minab girls' school was "Resalat Blvd, Alley No. 9, behind Asef Brigade," with a boys' school operating at the same location, seemingly sharing part of the building complex.
Impact of the Attack
The Moment of Impact
Videos circulating online captured the moment a missile struck the compound, with footage from Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency showing a projectile hitting one of the buildings around 10:45 a.m. local time. Munitions specialists analyzing the satellite images and video footage identified four of the missiles as Tomahawk cruise missiles, with one expert suggesting the presence of a glide bomb. Tomahawk missiles are long-range precision weapons utilized by the US Navy, launched from ships or submarines. On the first day of the conflict, the US released images and videos of Tomahawks being fired from the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance. Following the strike, Iranian state media published photographs claiming to show debris from an American missile recovered at the site, with one newspaper reporting that the fragments were remnants of a missile that hit an elementary school in Minab. Two of the photographed components matched pieces from Tomahawk missiles previously documented by open-source investigators.
Aftermath and Community Response
Aftermath In Minab
Satellite data indicated significant changes in the town shortly after the attack, with large disturbances appearing in the Minab cemetery. By March 2, rows of fresh graves had been dug, and images from the burial site depicted long lines of rectangular pits prepared for the victims. The school, once vibrant with colorful murals and bustling classrooms, was left in ruins. Just months prior, life at the school had seemed normal. Satellite imagery from December 2025 showed groups of people gathered in the schoolyard under clear skies. The school's website featured photographs of students and classroom activities, alongside a motto reflecting its mission: "Today I learn; tomorrow we build." One particular assignment on the website featured a maze for young students, with a line addressed to the children: "Ali and Fatemeh want to go see their great leader. If you can, guide the sister and her little brother." This worksheet, preserved in archived versions of the school's website, offered a glimpse into the daily life of the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, a place where students once thrived.