China announces $200,000 humanitarian aid to Iran after deadly school airstrike

Summary

On March 13, 2026, China announced emergency humanitarian assistance of USD 200,000 to support victims of a tragic airstrike on an elementary school in Minab, southern Iran. The attack, which occurred on February 28 amid escalating US-Israel military operations against Iran, reportedly killed over 160 people, mostly young girls, and injured nearly 100 others. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep condolences for the deaths of the students and extended sincere sympathies to their grieving families during a regular media briefing in Beijing. He stated that the Red Cross Society of China has decided to provide the Iranian Red Crescent Society with the $200,000 as emergency funds, specifically to aid bereaved parents and help alleviate the suffering caused by the incident. Guo strongly condemned indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, emphasizing that striking schools and harming children represents a grave violation of international humanitarian law and crosses the底线 of human morality and conscience. “Such acts are unacceptable,” he added. China, a longstanding close ally of Iran, has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities since the conflict intensified, including the reported assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Guo reiterated Beijing’s position, urging all parties to halt military operations without delay, prevent further escalation, and avoid broader regional instability that could harm global economic growth. The strike targeted the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ primary school in Minab, near an IRGC base previously hit in operations. Iran has attributed the attack to joint US-Israel actions. While the US Central Command stated it was investigating reports, and Israel’s military claimed no awareness of operations in the area, emerging evidence—including satellite imagery, videos, and preliminary US military probes—points to a possible US precision strike (potentially a Tomahawk missile) on a nearby military target, with the school damaged due to proximity or targeting errors based on outdated intelligence. The United Nations and UNESCO have condemned the incident as a severe breach of humanitarian law, highlighting the protection afforded to educational institutions and children in conflict zones. China affirmed its readiness to offer further humanitarian support to Iran in the spirit of goodwill, helping the Iranian people navigate these challenges. — With Agencies Inputs