Iran urges WHO to condemn US-Israel attacks on health centers

Speaking at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Iranian Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi condemned recent attacks by the US and Israel on Iranian health infrastructure, stating that dozens of hospitals and health centers have been significantly damaged and hundreds of children killed. He emphasized that attacks on schools, hospitals, and scientific institutions constitute grave violations of international law and undermine global health security.

Zafarghandi provided specific details, including an attack on a school in Minab that killed 168 children and teachers, and reported that 376 individuals under 18 have been killed, with many civilians injured. He noted that 63 hospitals and 195 other health-related infrastructures have been damaged, and 27 health care providers have been killed. The Pasteur Institute of Iran, a WHO collaborating center for over 100 years, was directly hit, disrupting its laboratories and vaccine production lines, as published in The Lancet on May 8, 2026.

The minister called on the World Health Assembly to condemn attacks on civilians and civilian health infrastructure, support urgent environmental health assessments for affected regions, and protect remaining health and scientific facilities as safe havens. He reaffirmed Iran's commitment to universal health coverage and global health cooperation despite the attacks, stating that Iran's health system continues to function, with hospitals remaining open and vaccination campaigns ongoing.

Zafarghandi concluded by reminding the assembly that Iran has been a member of the WHO since 1948 and has contributed to global health for nearly eight decades. He urged accountability and emphasized that health can remain a bridge for peace. According to Mehr News, the full text of his statement was delivered at the assembly.