The Iranian school struck in the war’s earliest attacks is now a memorial for children

The once vibrant Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Iran, now stands as a somber memorial for the children who lost their lives in the earliest attacks of the war that the United States and Israel launched across Iran on February 28, 2026. The bright blue gate, adorned with the familiar symbols that once welcomed young students - Iran's map, oversized pencils, and portraits of scientific and literary legends - now serves as a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.

Beyond the gate, visitors are greeted by rows of photographs capturing the joyous lives of the children who were killed. Some images depict birthday parties, while others show them engaged in various activities. However, the more recent photographs reveal the same faces, now adorned with black banners, a poignant symbol of mourning.

This emerging memorial is a testament to the devastating impact of the war on innocent lives. Iranian officials initially reported that over 100 students were killed in the attack, although the Pentagon's findings have not been released, and the Trump administration has yet to accept responsibility for the strike.

The tragedy has garnered renewed attention in recent weeks as another round of U.S. strikes targeted Minab, causing further damage to the school. The school's two-story building, once filled with the sounds of learning, now remains frozen in time, with classrooms containing desks half-buried and collapsed ceilings. The vivid memory of the students' activities is starkly juxtaposed against the desolation of the damaged structure.

In response to the devastation, local officials have proposed turning the ruins into a war museum and memorial. Meanwhile, a section of Minab's cemetery has been dedicated to the souls of the fallen students, with families and mourners moving quietly along the artificial grass, where some bodies remain undiscovered.