Tehran/Qom/Minab, March 4, 2026 – The US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran have claimed nearly 800 lives, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, with civilians bearing a heavy burden. Among the dead are scores from a school bombing in Minab—where 168 perished, many children—and the Qom Assembly strike that killed hundreds during a leadership vote.

Rescue teams describe scenes of horror: collapsed classrooms with scattered books, grieving families amid rubble, and overwhelmed hospitals. Iranian authorities label these “war crimes,” accusing the US and Israel of targeting non-military sites near strategic assets. A Minab elementary school strike near a base exemplifies the blurred lines, killing innocents in crossfire.

US-Israel officials maintain strikes target military and regime infrastructure, denying deliberate civilian hits. CENTCOM reports precision operations against command centers, but acknowledges collateral risks in urban areas.

On the other side, Iranian retaliatory missiles and drones have killed at least 11 in Israel and six US troops, with injuries mounting. Gulf allies report casualties from intercepted attacks.

The humanitarian crisis deepens: displaced populations, disrupted aid, and fears of disease outbreaks. International organizations call for ceasefires, but both sides show little restraint. Iran’s leadership vacuum complicates de-escalation, as hardliners push revenge.

Nuances abound—some Iranians quietly welcome regime weakening, while others rally in mourning. Globally, outrage mixes with strategic calculations. The death toll underscores war’s indiscriminate nature, raising ethical questions about preemptive strikes and long-term regional trauma.