Children’s belongings carried on Iran delegation flight as peace talks loom in Pakistan

In a striking prelude to high-stakes ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, Iran has drawn attention by placing blood-stained school bags, shoes, white flowers and photographs of children inside the aircraft carrying its delegation, according to The Indian Express.

Images and videos shared by Iranian embassies on social media showed the items arranged in the front row of the cabin, the Indian daily reported.

One embassy post read, “The Children of Minab are always with us.”

The delegation, bound for talks with the United States, has been named “Minab 168”, a reference to children Iran says were killed in an airstrike on a school in southern Iran.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading the team, also posted an image of the display, writing on social media: “My companions on this flight #Minab168.

The Iran Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, re-shared the visuals, writing: “We will never forget the children of Minab, ever.”

The Minab Claims

Iranian officials say more than 160 children were killed on Feb 28 when a school in Minab was struck in the early phase of the conflict.

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi earlier shared aerial imagery on social media, which he said showed mass graves for the victims.

He described the site as a girls’ primary school, alleging it was “bombed in broad daylight when packed with young pupils” and calling it a “crime” that “will not go unanswered”.

The United States has denied targeting any school. US President Donald Trump has previously suggested Iran itself may have been responsible, arguing that Iranian strikes lack precision.

A report by The New York Times cited the possibility of a targeting error involving a Tomahawk missile, though the claim remains disputed and has not been independently verified.

Talks in Islamabad

The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for negotiations over a proposed ceasefire framework.

The team includes Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Araghchi and other senior officials engaging with US representatives.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received the delegation at the airport alongside senior civilian and military officials.

The US team is expected to be led by Vice-President JD Vance, joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and Advisor Jared Kushner.

The discussions are expected to focus on Iran’s ceasefire proposal and possible pathways towards ending the ongoing conflict.