- By Surarika Das
- Sun, 10 May 2026 02:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Iran has congratulated White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on her daughter's birth; simultaneously, it also criticised her over the February 28 strike on a school in Minab, which killed at least 150 people. Sharing an X post, Leavitt announced the birth of her daughter, whom she named Viviana. The White House press secretary posted a picture of herself in a nursery, cradling her baby daughter to her chest.
"On May 1st, Viviana, aka 'Vivi,' joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love," Leavitt, who at 28 is the youngest White House press secretary in history, said on X.
"She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble," she added.
Iran's Reaction To Post
Iran has congratulated Leavitt on the birth of her daughter. However, it mentioned how the Minab strike killed several children and that they were just like the one in her lap. Sharing a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia said, "Congratulations to you. Children are innocent and lovable. Those 168 children that your boss killed in the school in Minab, which you justified, were also children. When you kiss your baby, think of the mothers of those children."
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
Why Is Leavitt Being Criticised?
At least 73 boys and 47 girls were killed in the strike that occurred in an elementary school in Minab, state media reported. The attack had taken place on the day the United States and Israel launched attacks across Iran. In a retaliatory response, Tehran struck targets in Israel and Gulf nations.
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According to AFP News Agency, 26 teachers, 7 parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician at the clinic near the school were killed in the attack.
In March, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US does not target civilians. "While the Department of War is currently investigating this matter, the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America," Leavitt had said.
What Did The US Investigation Reveal?
According to a report in the New York Times, the US military investigation said that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the elementary school due to a targeting mistake. US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was behind the attack, even as Iran didn't own Tomahawk missiles.
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Donald Trump, on 7 March, said that in his "opinion," Iran was to blame for the Minab strike, without providing evidence.
Days later, when asked about a video showing a US Tomahawk hitting the military base next to the school, he said, "I haven't seen it" and claimed without evidence that Iran had Tomahawk missiles.
On March 11, when asked about reports that an initial military probe had found that the US hit the school, Trump had said, "I don't know about it."