Emotional Images of Minab Victims Surface as Iran-US Talks Set to Begin in Islamabad

As Iran and the United States prepare for crucial ceasefire discussions, a powerful reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict has emerged. An Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, arrived in Islamabad carrying symbolic items representing the victims of the Minab tragedy. At the front of their flight, blood-stained school bags, children’s shoes, white flowers, and photographs of young victims from Minab were displayed. The arrangement underscored the scale of the humanitarian loss and drew widespread attention. Sharing an image on social media platform X, Qalibaf wrote, “My companions on this flight #Minab168.” The photograph shows him looking at the belongings and images of the children. The delegation has been named “Minab 168,” reportedly in reference to children killed on the first day of alleged attacks involving the United States and Israel on Iran. Echoing the sentiment, the Iranian Embassy in South Africa stated, “We will never forget the children of Minab.” According to Iranian officials, more than 160 children were killed on February 28 in an alleged attack on the ‘Shajreh Tayyeba’ girls’ elementary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab. However, these claims have not been independently verified. Days later, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi shared an image he described as mass graves being prepared for the victims. He termed the incident a “cold-blooded killing” and held the United States responsible. Meanwhile, delegations from Iran and the United States are set to meet in Islamabad to discuss a proposed 10-point ceasefire plan put forward by Tehran. Qalibaf is leading the Iranian side, accompanied by Araghchi and other officials. They were received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Army Chief Asim Munir. On the American side, Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner are expected to participate. This marks the first visit by a US Vice President to Pakistan since 2011. Observers view the talks as a significant step toward reducing tensions and potentially ending the prolonged conflict, even as the memory of civilian casualties continues to shape the narrative around the negotiations.