Iran parliament speaker posts photos of schoolchildren killed in US strike

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has posted images on X platform showing portraits of children killed in a US missile strike on a school in Tehran, saying they were accompanying him symbolically on his flight to Pakistan for peace talks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The images showed children’s photos placed on aeroplane seats alongside backpacks and flowers.

A preliminary US military investigation found outdated intelligence likely led to the 28 February strike on a school in Iran, which killed more than 165 children, in the opening hours of the conflict.

همراهان من در این پرواز#Minab168 pic.twitter.com/xvXmDlSDiF

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026

The image, posted on social media, shows empty seats around Ghalibaf filled with photographs of children who were killed when a missile struck a girls’ school in Minab. Captioning the image, he wrote: “My companions on this flight."

The post appeared to reference an attack that Iran has blamed on the United States during the recent escalation, an incident Washington has sought to distance itself from.

The attack, which reportedly killed at least 165 people and injured dozens more, has emerged as a key reference point in Iran’s messaging ahead of the negotiations.

Ghalibaf’s gesture comes as both sides prepare for what are expected to be crucial negotiations in Islamabad, with discussions likely to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime security and broader efforts to end the conflict.

The Iranian speaker’s post signals how Tehran may frame the talks, highlighting civilian casualties from the war while pressing its case before the international community as diplomatic efforts get underway.

Upon arrival at the Islamabad airport, Qalibaf, who is leading Iran’s delegation, spoke to the reporters, pointing out the past experiences with Washington. He underlined Tehran’s deep distrust of the United States, saying Iran has “goodwill but no trust" in Washington.

“Twice within less than a year, in the middle of negotiations, and despite the Iranian side’s good faith, they attacked us and committed numerous war crimes," he added.

“We have goodwill, but we do not have trust (in Americans)," he said.

He warned that Tehran would rely on its own capabilities to secure its interests if Washington treats the negotiations as a “show" or a “deception operation".