WANA (Jul 09) – The Iranian Minister of Health has confirmed that nearly 700 civilians were killed following 12 days of Israeli attacks on Iranian soil. Among the victims are 18 healthcare workers, including six doctors, who died in the line of duty while providing emergency care.

 

Dr. Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, Minister of Health, described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe, revealing that over 5,000 civilians have been injured and are currently receiving treatment across the country.

 

“One of the victims is a five-year-old child with 50 percent burns, whose entire family was killed in the attack,” he said, calling the assaults a brutal and unjustifiable aggression against innocent civilians.

 

The health minister also confirmed that seven hospitals were directly targeted, and several others had to be evacuated due to the intensity of the strikes. At least 11 ambulances were bombed.

 

“These actions are in stark violation of international laws, humanitarian principles, and human rights,” he added, emphasizing that documentation of these crimes is underway for future legal and international proceedings.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), reported that approximately 1,500 hospital beds were damaged due to the airstrikes, further straining the country’s medical infrastructure during the crisis.

 

Meysam Afshar, Secretary-General of the IRCS, also stated that the Red Crescent’s pre-existing emergency preparedness plans played a critical role during the conflict. “Our rapid response teams, supported by years of training, planning, and upgraded logistics, allowed us to act swiftly, especially in hard-hit areas like Tehran,” he said.

 

Afshar noted that the 4030 teleconsultation hotline was reactivated, handling 100,000 calls to help reduce public anxiety. He also highlighted the organization’s international outreach, saying that messages of solidarity and condemnation of attacks on civilians and aid workers were received from nearly 70 national societies, including in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

 

“Although the war exposed some vulnerabilities, it also demonstrated our strengths. We are committed to improving our readiness and standing by the people in any crisis,” he added.