WHO expresses concern over attack on Iran’s health facilities amid tensions in the Middle East

Geneva (Switzerland), April 3. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about the attack by America and Israel against Iran. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed disappointment on the social media platform X over reports of health centers being targeted in Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reshared the WHO Director General’s statement.

Tedros Ghebreyesus wrote on Twitter, ‘Amidst the increasing conflict in the Middle East, there have been reports of several attacks on health centers in Iran’s capital Tehran in recent days. The Pasteur Institute in Iran suffered significant losses and could not continue providing health services. This institution was formed in 1920 and has been working in many areas of medical research for more than a century. It plays an important role in protecting and promoting people’s health even in emergencies.

Multiple attacks on health have been reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in recent days amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Pasteur Institute in Iran sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services.

The Institute… pic.twitter.com/RHILHhy5Yv

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 2, 2026

He said that two of its departments have been active as centers working together with WHO. Additionally, a strike on March 29 caused significant damage to the Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital, and another strike on March 31 caused damage to the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility, which produces drugs to treat cancer and multiple sclerosis. There is no news of any casualty in these incidents.

More than 20 attacks on Iran’s health facilities confirmed so far

WHO has confirmed more than 20 attacks on health facilities in Iran since March 1. At least nine deaths have been confirmed in the attacks, including the death of a health worker with an infectious disease and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

WHO said attacks on health facilities have also been recorded outside Tehran. These attacks included an explosion on March 21 near Imam Ali Hospital in Andimeshk, Khuzestan province. Due to the blast, the place had to be evacuated and services were stopped.

Tedros Ghebreyesus said, ‘The fighting in Iran and the region is affecting the delivery of health facilities and the safety of health workers, patients and ordinary people present in health centers. Peace is the best medicine.