Iran condemns US strike near children's hospital in Ahvaz

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned a US strike near Shahid Baqaei Hospital, a pediatric cancer treatment center in Ahvaz, on Thursday. In a post on X, he stated that the attack occurred overnight, forcing the emergency evacuation of 211 children undergoing chemotherapy. Baqaei described the strike as a "barbaric attack" reminiscent of Israeli actions against healthcare facilities, causing severe distress among young patients and disrupting life-saving medical care. He called it a "cowardly war crime against the most innocent of human beings — children who are bravely fighting for their lives." He also criticized governments that selectively condemn human rights abuses, saying those who preach human rights but ignore attacks on hospitals have lost moral credibility. Residents of Ahvaz reported multiple explosions on Wednesday night as US strikes targeted several parts of the city, including areas near the hospital. According to Mehr News, the incident has drawn sharp condemnation from Iranian officials.