The Iran men’s national football team paid tribute to victims of a deadly school airstrike by wearing black armbands and posing with school bags before their friendly match against the Nigeria national football team.

The gesture was in remembrance of those killed in a February 28 strike on a primary school in Minab, where at least 170 people, including students and teachers, lost their lives on the first day of the Middle East conflict.

Before kickoff in Belek, Turkey, players—including striker Mehdi Taremi—held pink and purple school backpacks decorated with ribbons as the national anthem played. Iran later lost the match 2–1.

The attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran. Tehran has since accused Washington of carrying out a deliberate assault on the school.

According to a report by The New York Times, early findings from a U.S. military investigation suggest the tragedy may have been caused by a targeting error involving a Tomahawk cruise missile. The report indicated that the intended target was a nearby Iranian base, and outdated coordinates may have led to the strike hitting the school, which was formerly part of the facility.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump initially suggested Iran could have been responsible, despite the country not possessing Tomahawk missiles.

Iran, which has already secured qualification for the World Cup, has requested that its matches be moved from the United States to Mexico, citing concerns over player safety following warnings from Trump.