An Iranian delegation heading for talks with the US chose to travel on a symbolic flight linked to one of the deadliest incidents of the recent conflict, according to officials.The aircraft, named “Minab-168”, commemorates the 168 people – most of them schoolchildren – who were killed in a missile strike on a girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab on February 28.
The strike, which destroyed the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school, became one of the most tragic episodes in the early phase of the war.
After arriving in Pakistan ahead of the negotiations, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf shared an image from the flight on social media.The picture showed seats carrying photographs of four children, placed alongside school bags and flowers.“My companions on this flight,” he wrote.While Iranian authorities have blamed the attack on US forces, American military officials have suggested the strike may have been accidental. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said an investigation into the incident is underway.Separately, a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance departed for Islamabad for weekend discussions with Iranian officials. The talks come amid lingering tensions, with both sides accusing each other of violating earlier commitments tied to a temporary ceasefire.Officials in Washington have expressed doubts over any immediate breakthrough, particularly on reopening the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.Iranian negotiators, on the other hand, have indicated that progress would depend on broader assurances related to sanctions relief and regional issues, including Lebanon.The conflict, which began in late February, has left Iran significantly weakened, though it continues to retain the capacity to target regional assets and disrupt key shipping routes.The war has triggered a major energy-market shock, impacting Gulf production, fuelling inflation concerns, and raising fears of food shortages and a potential global slowdown.US President Donald Trump, facing mounting political pressure ahead of the midterm elections, had announced a ceasefire earlier this week, just hours before a stated deadline after which he had warned of severe escalation.
