Iran Congratulates Karoline Leavitt on Baby’s Birth, Brings Up Minab School Strike in Sharp Message
Iran has congratulated White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on the birth of her daughter while simultaneously criticising her over the deadly Minab school strike that killed more than 150 people earlier this year.
Iran has congratulated White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on the birth of her daughter while simultaneously criticising her over the deadly Minab school strike that killed more than 150 people earlier this year.
Leavitt, 28, who became the youngest White House press secretary in US history, announced the birth of her second child, Viviana, on social media on Thursday. Sharing a photo holding her newborn daughter, she wrote that her family’s “hearts instantly exploded with love” after the baby’s arrival on May 1.
However, Iran’s response quickly drew global attention for linking the celebration to the February 28 strike on a school in Minab. In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia congratulated Leavitt but also reminded her about the children killed during the attack. Karoline Leavitt Gives Birth to Baby Girl, Names Her ‘Viviana’ (See Pic).
“Congratulations to you. Children are innocent and lovable. Those 168 children that your boss killed in the school in Minab, and you justified, were also children,” the embassy wrote.
Iran Congratulates Karoline Leavitt on Baby’s Birth
Congratulations to you. Children are innocent and lovable. Those 168 children that your boss killed in the school in Minab, and you justified, were also children. When you kiss your baby, think of the mothers of those children. https://t.co/uhypZFhRRf
— IRI Embassy in Armenia (@iraninyerevan) May 9, 2026
According to Iranian state media, the strike killed dozens of students, including 73 boys and 47 girls, along with teachers, parents, a school bus driver and a nearby clinic worker. The attack reportedly took place during coordinated US and Israeli strikes across Iran, which Tehran later responded to with retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf nations.
The Minab strike has remained controversial for weeks. Earlier in March, Leavitt defended the United States, stating that the US “does not target civilians and children.” She had said the Department of War was investigating the incident while accusing Iran of targeting civilians. Did Karoline Leavitt Foreshadow White House Dinner Shooting? Video of ‘Shots Will Be Fired’ Remark Goes Viral.
Meanwhile, reports citing preliminary findings from a US military investigation claimed that a Tomahawk cruise missile mistakenly struck the elementary school. The New York Times reported that the missile may have hit the school due to a targeting error.
US President Donald Trump initially suggested Iran itself could have been responsible for the strike despite reports indicating the missile used was American-made. Trump later claimed he had not seen footage allegedly showing a US missile hitting a military base next to the school.
The renewed focus on Minab has now reignited debate online over accountability, civilian casualties and the political fallout from the deadly strike.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2026 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
