PARIS, France (AFP) — Iran said strikes hit a school and killed more than 100 people, but neither the United States (US) nor Israel have confirmed that any such attack has taken place.

Iranian authorities said the country’s enemies conducted strikes on the school in the southern town of Minab on Saturday.

Israel said it was not aware of any US or Israeli strike on a school in Iran, and Washington said it was looking into the reports.

AFP has been unable to access the location to independently verify the toll or the circumstances surrounding the event.

Iranian authorities have to give explicit approval to foreign media organisations wishing to report outside Tehran.

Here is what we know:

– Verified footage –

Footage filmed from a parking lot showed black smoke billowing from a damaged building adorned with murals featuring drawings of crayons, children and an apple.

AFP has geolocated the clip to a building in Minab in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province that appeared to be a school, though it has not been able to independently verify the nature of the site.

A second video, verified by outlets including the New York Times, showed a similar damaged structure from a different angle.

Colourful murals similar to those seen in the first video were visible as distressed bystanders in civilian clothing gathered nearby.

Iranian state television has identified the site as the Shajare Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab.

AFP could not independently verify the date the footage was filmed.

– What Iran says –

On Saturday, an Iranian provincial official said Israeli strikes had hit a school in Hormozgan near the strategic sea route of the Strait of Hormuz.

A county governor, according to state television, identified the school as the Shajare Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab.

The Iranian Red Crescent later gave a death toll from the strike of 108, after it had steadily climbed from an initial estimate of five provided by the provincial official.

“The number of student martyrs at Minab School has reached 108, and relief and debris removal operations are still ongoing,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.

On Sunday, the governor put the toll at 165 while announcing the end of search operations.

– Israel not aware –

For its part, Israel’s military said Sunday it was not aware of any US or Israeli strike on a school.

“At this point not aware of an Israeli or an American strike there… We’re operating in an extremely accurate manner,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters.

– US looking into reports –

AFP contacted the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which did not immediately respond for comment.

The Pentagon also did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a CENTCOM spokesperson was quoted by The New York Times as saying: “We are aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations. We take these reports seriously and are looking into them.”

“The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimise the risk of unintended harm.”

– Human rights group –

Norway-based rights group Hengaw said it was investigating the identities of the students allegedly killed in the strike.

In a statement, the organisation said the Shajare Tayyebeh School was holding its morning session at the time of the incident, which reportedly had about 170 students present.