Iran Healthcare Under Attack: 20+ Incidents Since March

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of attacks on Iranian healthcare facilities amid ongoing conflict, including significant damage to the Pasteur Institute in Tehran. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported “multiple attacks” and raised concerns over the protection of healthcare infrastructure.

Attacks on Iranian Health Facilities

The Pasteur Institute, one of Iran’s oldest research and health facilities, “sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services,” according to Tedros’ post on X. Iranian Ministry of Health spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour shared images on X showing extensive damage to a building, reduced to rubble.

Despite the damage, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that services at the Pasteur Institute have not been interrupted, and vaccine and serum production will continue. Employees of the institute were unharmed in the attacks, according to a statement on Telegram.

Tedros emphasized the Institute’s “important role in protecting and promoting population health, including in emergencies.”

Recent US-Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian health, education, and transport infrastructure, expanding beyond initial targets. The Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital and the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility were also damaged, though no casualties were reported at those locations. An explosion near the Imam Ali Hospital in Khuzestan province led to its evacuation.

Since March 1, the WHO has verified over 20 attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran, resulting in at least nine deaths, including an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

A laser and plasma research facility at Shaid Beheshti University was reportedly attacked, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency. Additionally, a warehouse belonging to the Red Crescent Society was targeted, destroying relief containers and vehicles.

“Communities on all sides are already paying a heavy price since the escalation of hostilities. Humanitarian workers, ambulances, relief supplies and humanitarian facilities must be respected and protected,” the WHO stated.

Healthcare facilities are protected under the Geneva Conventions. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, 307 health, medical, and emergency care facilities have been damaged in the conflict.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran, despite international law prohibiting the targeting of civilian infrastructure.