Tehran – At least forty people, mostly students, were killed and 45 more wounded after a girls’ primary school in southern Iran was struck during the devastating wave of US-Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, according to Iranian authorities. The deaths represent the first confirmed civilian fatalities inside Iran since the conflict erupted.

State-run Iranian media and local officials in Hormozgan province said the Minab county school was directly hit during the broad campaign, which Tehran says was launched by Israel and the United States to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and nuclear programme. At least 45 others were wounded in the strike.

The bombardment triggered a swift and forceful response from Iran’s armed forces, which have launched ballistic missiles and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military installations across the region, including bases in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Explosions were reported in multiple Gulf states as Iran’s military sought to counter the offensive.

Israeli air defences were also activated as Iranian missiles were detected over the country, sending shockwaves through major cities and prompting air raid sirens and shelter directives for civilians. There were no immediate independent confirmations of casualty figures from the missile exchanges.

The strikes on Iran followed an unprecedented coordinated assault by the US and Israel earlier in the day, with President Donald Trump describing the operation as a major combat offensive aimed at neutralising threats posed by Tehran. Iranian leaders have condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and vowed further retaliation.

The school attack has sparked international alarm, with global leaders urging restraint as fears grow that the conflict could engulf the wider Middle East and inflict heavy civilian tolls.

The situation remains highly fluid, with both military operations and diplomatic efforts unfolding amid mounting calls for de-escalation.