GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Thursday that it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran, alongside one attack in Lebanon, amidst the escalating U.S.-Israeli military campaign.
During a press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the agency is actively checking reports that four medics have been killed and at least 25 others injured in the strikes. He provided these figures without attributing direct blame or offering specific operational details of the strikes.
Impact on Hospitals and Emergency Services Dr. Hanan Balkhy, speaking at the same briefing, outlined the localized impact of the attacks, citing Iranian authorities:
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Four ambulances in Iran were directly affected.
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Hospitals and other health sites sustained minor damage due to the proximity of the strikes.
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One hospital located in the capital, Tehran, was forced to evacuate due to the security threat.
The reported figures from the WHO follow a letter sent earlier this week by Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva to Dr. Tedros, which alleged that 10 medical facilities had been hit by military strikes.
Logistics Hub Disruption
Beyond the direct strikes in Iran, the broader regional conflict is severely hampering global humanitarian efforts. Dr. Balkhy reported that the crucial WHO logistics hub situated in Dubai is currently temporarily out of service. This facility, which is responsible for providing essential health supplies to dozens of countries, has been paralyzed by the severe transport restrictions and airspace closures gripping the region.
