Speaking during an urgent session at the United Nations Human Rights Council, UN rights chief Volker Türk said the attack sparked “visceral horror,” emphasizing that no conflict should ever lead to the loss of innocent children.

The strike, which happened on February 28 in the city of Minab, hit an elementary school on the very first day of the Middle East conflict. According to reports, about 168 people — including pupils, teachers, school staff, and even family members  were affected.

Türk spoke emotionally about the devastating images that followed the attack, describing scenes of destroyed classrooms and grieving families. He stressed that situations like this highlight a painful truth: civilians, especially children, often bear the heaviest cost of war.

Early findings from a US military investigation, as reported by The New York Times, suggest that the tragedy was caused by a targeting error involving a Tomahawk cruise missile.

While US officials have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, Türk made it clear that more needs to be done. He called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial process, urging that the findings be made public as soon as possible.

In his words, there must be justice for the harm caused. The discussion was held at the request of Iran, China, and Cuba, making it the second urgent debate at the council this week focused on the ongoing Middle East conflict. Just days earlier, another session — requested by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan — examined Iran’s own strikes across the Gulf and their impact on civilians.

Following that earlier meeting, the council agreed on a resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on its neighbours and calling for compensation for victims. Friday’s session, however, was purely for discussion, with no resolution tabled, but the message was clear: the world is watching, and there is a growing demand for accountability and justice.