Iran has called on the United Nations Children’s Fund to address what officials describe as a growing school strike crisis. The request follows claims that airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeted schools across the country. Iranian authorities say the strikes caused major civilian casualties and severe infrastructure damage. Iran’s Justice Minister Amin Hossein Rahimi raised the issue in a formal letter.
He sent the message to Edward Chaiban, UNICEF’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. Rahimi urged urgent international action to protect children and education facilities. He also called for an independent investigation into recent attacks. Rahimi argued that the strikes created a nationwide school strike crisis and placed thousands of students at risk.
According to Rahimi, at least 50 schools have faced direct strikes since aerial operations began on February 28. He said the attacks affected several provinces and disrupted the education system. Officials claim hundreds of children died while many others suffered injuries. One of the most severe incidents reportedly occurred in Minab in Hormozgan Province.
Iranian officials say an airstrike struck a school on the first day of the campaign. Authorities reported that 168 students died in that single attack. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent Society released new estimates on infrastructure damage. Spokesman Mojtaba Khaledi said the strikes damaged 19,734 civilian structures nationwide. Those buildings include more than 16,000 residential homes.
Khaledi also reported serious disruption across the healthcare system. He said 77 medical facilities suffered damage during the air campaign. These sites include hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In several cases, strikes reportedly occurred during medical procedures. As a result, doctors struggled to continue critical surgeries.
These disruptions deepened the school strike crisis and raised broader humanitarian concerns. International diplomats and aid groups have also expressed concern about the reported damage. Analysts warn that continued destruction of schools and hospitals may delay recovery for years. Iran continues to call for global investigations and stronger protection for civilian institutions.