Iran's Ghalibaf Honors Minab School Strike Victims During Islamabad Peace Talks
Key Takeaways
- Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf led a delegation to Islamabad for US-Iran peace talks.
- Blood-soaked bags, shoes, flowers, photos placed on seats honoring Minab victims.
- Minab attack killed 168 people, mostly children; plane reference named Minab-168.
Minab Tribute on Flight
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led a delegation to Islamabad for peace talks with the United States.
“The human cost of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was brought into sharp focus as an Iranian delegation carried symbolic reminders of tragedy on a flight to Islamabad”
Images of children killed in the Minab incident were placed on seats aboard the Iranian government flight.
Ghalibaf shared the image on social media, calling the images his companions on flight.
The aircraft was named Minab 168 to honour the 168 people killed in the attack.
The delegation was received in Pakistan by key leaders including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The symbolism came as Iran continued to push its conditions ahead of negotiations.
Minab School Strike
The Minab school strike occurred on February 28 at the Shajareh Tayyibeh Girls' Elementary School.
Iranian authorities blamed the United States, naming US Navy officers of the USS Spruance.
The US military said it was looking into the reports, with a preliminary assessment raising the possibility of a targeting error.
The Israeli military said it was not aware of strikes in the area.
The death toll from the strike stood at 168, with 96 others injured.
The incident has not been independently verified as a deliberate strike on the school.
Diplomatic Tensions
Ghalibaf stated that Iran is entering the talks with good intentions but no trust.
“Images from a plane carrying Iran's delegation to US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad show seats filled with photos and belongings of victims of the Minab school strike”
Previous rounds of negotiations had consistently failed to yield lasting outcomes.
Vice President JD Vance signalled openness to dialogue, provided it is conducted in good faith.
He warned that the negotiating team is not that receptive if Iran tries to play them.
The talks come amid ongoing tensions including Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Major gaps remain between the sides.
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