Image shared by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf (posted on X)

In a symbolic gesture, photographs of children killed in the Minab incident were placed on seats on an Iranian government flight to Islamabad on Friday, turning the visit by a high-level delegation into a stark visual statement ahead of key peace talks.In a social media post shared by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, he described the photos placed on a backpack with rose flowers as “his companions in flight”, sharing the image on social media.In the picture shared on X, he is seen looking at the pictures of the children along with their personal belongings.The delegation, led by Qalibaf along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is in Pakistan for crucial talks aimed at stabilizing the fragile regional ceasefire framework. The group was welcomed at the airport by Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.The symbolism comes as Iran puts forward its own conditions ahead of the talks, including the release of frozen assets in the region and comprehensive ceasefire assurances. Iranian officials have also expressed skepticism about the talks, with Qalibaf reiterating upon arrival that previous talks with the US “were always met with failure and violations of promises”, even as he said Tehran still had goodwill but “no trust.”The Islamabad talks come amid ongoing US efforts to stabilize regional tensions following the recent announcement of a ceasefire, while violence continues in parts of the Middle East, including attacks in southern Lebanon and retaliation linked to Hezbollah.Pakistan has described the talks as a “make or break” moment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warning that the outcome could determine whether the fragile pause in hostilities will hold or break under competing demands.Despite diplomatic momentum, major differences remain between the two sides, particularly over sanctions relief, regional security arrangements and control over strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

strike in minab school

Minab is an alleged precision airstrike on a primary school in Minab, which was reportedly damaged during coordinated attacks targeting a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval facility on the first day of Operation Epic Fury. According to multiple media reports and satellite-based analyses, the school was adjacent to a military compound that was attacked, with conflicting accounts suggesting either collateral damage from the attacks on the IRGC base or a targeting error. The attack reportedly killed at least 165 people, including students, and has not been independently verified as a deliberate attack on the school. American and Israeli officials have not yet formally claimed responsibility, while they have said they are reviewing reports of civilian casualties.However, Iran has directly blamed the United States. Last month, Iranian officials arrested US Navy officials Commander Leigh R. Tate and USS Spruance Executive Officer Jeffrey E. York on charges that they ordered the launch of multiple Tomahawk missiles that struck the school and killed 168 civilians, including children. Tehran has repeatedly described the attack as a US-Israeli operation, while Israel has denied involvement.US media reports, including The New York Times, have pointed to US strikes on nearby naval facilities near the Strait of Hormuz as a possible context for the operation, while CBC News said satellite imagery and video analysis showed the school was damaged in a precision strike on a military complex adjacent to the building. Meanwhile, an initial US military assessment has reportedly raised the possibility of targeting error during operations against IRGC-linked infrastructure.