Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz As US-Israeli Strikes Kill 153 Schoolchildren
Key Takeaways
- Israel and the United States launched large-scale strikes against Iran in late February 2026.
- Iran began shelling Israel, U.S. military facilities, and civilian targets in the Middle East.
- Open war has spread beyond the Middle East to the Indian Ocean and Caucasus regions.
US-Israel Bomb Iran, Kill Hundreds
US and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes inside Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, killing at least 201 people.
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The deadliest single strike hit a girls' school in Minab, killing at least 153 children and staff -- a detail prominently reported by Al Jazeera but buried by Western outlets.
AP News confirmed the school strike but attributed it to anonymous officials, while the Pentagon confirmed six US service members killed without acknowledging the larger Iranian civilian toll.
The Atlantic Council characterized the campaign as a major shift toward pursuing regime change.
Iran Retaliates, Closes Strait of Hormuz
Iran retaliated by declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed and launching missile strikes on Israel that killed 11 people.
Iran's defense ministry threatened no mercy or forgiveness after US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The closure of the Strait triggered economic shockwaves that Al Jazeera covered as a consequence of the US-initiated war, while AP framed it as Iranian aggression.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov condemned the unprovoked attack and the Russian Foreign Ministry described the attack as a reckless move.
Trump Threatens Escalation Amid Opposition
Trump threatened to continue the bombing with ferocious unyielding resolve.
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A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 27% of Americans approved while 43% disapproved.
Congressional Democrats demanded briefings on the war's legality.
The Russian Security Council called Washington's negotiations with Tehran a fiction and a cover for a military strike.
Conflict Crosses Into Caucasus Region
The conflict spread beyond the Middle East into the Caucasus region.
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a Trump-facilitated peace deal including opening a corridor through southern Armenia.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry welcomed the peace agreement but expressed concern about foreign intervention near shared borders.
The Hudson Institute observed the strategic value of the Middle Corridor through the South Caucasus.
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