Iran's President Calls for International Action Amid Escalating Attacks on Medical Facilities

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an urgent appeal to international health organizations following a series of alleged attacks on medical facilities across Iran by the United States and Israel. The pleas come amidst ongoing conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and significant damage to critical healthcare infrastructure.

Iranian President Appeals to Global Health Bodies

On Thursday, President Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon by profession, took to X to condemn the targeting of hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and the Pasteur Institute. He directly urged the World Health Organization (WHO), the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and physicians worldwide to respond to what he termed a "crime against humanity."

Pasteur Institute: A Critical Target

The Pasteur Institute in Tehran, Iran's oldest and most prestigious research and public health center, founded in 1920, was reportedly targeted on Thursday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack as "heartbreaking, cruel, despicable, and utterly outrageous," highlighting the institute's vital role in infectious disease research, vaccine production, and national immunization programs.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed on Friday that two departments of the Pasteur Institute of Iran collaborate closely with the WHO, expressing concern that the regional conflict is hindering health service delivery and endangering health workers and civilians.

Widespread Damage to Iran's Healthcare Infrastructure

Since the US and Israel launched strikes on February 28, at least 2,076 people have been killed and 26,500 wounded in Iran. The WHO has verified over 20 attacks on healthcare facilities since March 1, resulting in at least nine deaths, including an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Among the facilities reported hit are:

  • Red Crescent warehouse: A drone strike on Friday morning in Bushehr province destroyed relief containers and emergency vehicles.
  • Tofigh Daru Research and Engineering Company: One of Iran's largest pharmaceutical companies in Tehran, specializing in anticancer and other vital drugs, was struck on March 31.
  • Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital: This newly constructed Tehran hospital suffered significant damage on March 29, with about 30 patients present at the time of the strike.
  • Ali Hospital: Located in Andimeshk, Khuzestan province, this facility was damaged by an explosion on March 21, forcing staff evacuation and cessation of services.
  • Gandhi Hospital: Damaged on March 2 in Tehran during attacks on a nearby television communications tower.

International Law and Growing Concerns

International humanitarian law explicitly protects health establishments, units, medical staff, and transport from attack. The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2286 in 2016, condemning attacks on healthcare and urging compliance with international law.

Olley News Insight: The targeting of medical infrastructure in conflict zones is a grave violation of international law, undermining critical humanitarian efforts and exacerbating suffering among civilian populations already impacted by war. This pattern raises serious questions about adherence to established global norms for protecting non-combatants and essential services.

Despite these protections, the WHO's Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) recorded a record 1,348 attacks on medical facilities worldwide in 2023, resulting in 1,981 deaths, a sharp increase from the previous year.

Regional Impact: Attacks on Healthcare Beyond Iran

The reported targeting of healthcare facilities in Iran is part of a broader regional pattern observed in ongoing conflicts.

  • Lebanon: Israeli attacks have reportedly killed 53 medical workers, destroyed 87 ambulances or medical centers, and forced the closure of five hospitals. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) notes a "documented pattern of attacks affecting healthcare."
  • Gaza: Throughout the conflict, numerous healthcare facilities have been targeted. Examples include the October 2023 strike on al-Ahli Hospital, the March 2024 raid on al-Shifa Hospital, the December 2024 arrest of Kamal Adwan Hospital's director, and the March 2025 killing of 15 Palestinian medics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Key Takeaways

  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for international health organizations to intervene following alleged US-Israeli attacks on Iranian medical facilities.
  • The Pasteur Institute in Tehran, a vital research and public health center, was specifically targeted.
  • Over 2,000 people have been killed and 26,500 wounded in Iran since February 28, with over 20 verified attacks on healthcare facilities.
  • International humanitarian law protects healthcare facilities, staff, and patients, a principle reinforced by UN Security Council Resolution 2286.
  • The targeting of healthcare infrastructure is part of a wider regional concern, with similar patterns observed in Lebanon and Gaza.