Tehran, Iran – March 1, 2026 – The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on Sunday that US and Israeli military strikes targeted areas in close proximity to medical and humanitarian facilities in the capital Tehran, raising immediate concerns over civilian safety and the protection of protected sites under international humanitarian law.
In a statement issued by the organization, the attacks struck zones near several key installations, including:
The Red Crescent Building (headquarters of the Iranian Red Crescent Society),
- Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital,
- Behzisti facilities (social welfare and rehabilitation centers),
- Motahari Hospital.
The Red Crescent emphasized that the strikes occurred in the immediate vicinity of these locations but did not specify whether the facilities themselves sustained direct hits. As of the latest update, no confirmed information was available regarding casualties, structural damage, or disruptions to medical services. The organization stated it was actively assessing the situation and coordinating with relevant authorities to evaluate any impact on humanitarian operations.
The report follows the second full day of intense military activity that began with Israeli pre-emptive strikes early Saturday—codenamed “Lion’s Roar”—and expanded to include US participation under “Operation Epic Fury.” US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the joint operation, describing it as necessary to eliminate threats from Iran’s missile capabilities, nuclear program, and regional proxy networks. Trump urged Iranian forces to surrender and called on civilians to overthrow the regime, while acknowledging possible US casualties.
Iran responded with large-scale missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Gulf, including confirmed strikes on a US-linked facility in Bahrain’s Juffair area and an intercepted missile over Qatar. Additional reports indicated drone activity near Oman, prompting the US Embassy in Muscat to order shelter-in-place for staff and recommend the same for American citizens.
On Sunday, Iranian authorities confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior political and military officials, as a direct result of the attacks. Mohsen Dehnavi, spokesperson for the Expediency Discernment Council, announced that Ayatollah Alireza Arafi—a clerical member of the Guardian Council—had been appointed as the clerical representative to the interim Leadership Council under Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution. The council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and Arafi, will exercise supreme authority until the Assembly of Experts selects a permanent successor.
The reported proximity of strikes to humanitarian and medical sites has intensified international concern over civilian protection. The Iranian Red Crescent, as a national society affiliated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), operates under the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and is protected under the Geneva Conventions. Attacks near or on such facilities could constitute violations of international humanitarian law if they endanger protected persons or objects without military necessity.
European leaders, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement Saturday denying participation in the strikes while condemning Iranian retaliatory attacks on regional countries “in the strongest terms.” They called for restraint, civilian protection, and a resumption of negotiations. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as “perilous” and noted that EU consular teams are facilitating departures for citizens while withdrawing non-essential personnel from the region.
The United Nations Security Council remains in emergency session, with Russia and China condemning the strikes as sovereignty violations. Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Latvia, Austria, and Ireland all urged maximum restraint and respect for international law. Asian nations, including Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, expressed concern over regional stability and issued travel advisories.
Gulf states—including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia—have closed or restricted airspace, placed forces on high alert, and voiced fears over energy market disruptions. Oil prices remain elevated amid concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Russian Embassy in Tehran urged citizens to leave Iran if possible.
The reported strikes near medical facilities add a humanitarian dimension to the crisis, which has already seen civilian casualties—including five students killed when a girls’ primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, was reportedly hit. No independent verification of the Tehran-area incidents has been possible amid restricted access, ongoing hostilities, and conflicting narratives.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and IFRC have not yet issued specific statements on the Red Crescent report but have previously reminded all parties of their obligations to protect medical personnel, facilities, and humanitarian workers under international humanitarian law.
As the conflict enters its third day, with missile exchanges continuing and airspace restrictions persisting, the international community is closely monitoring developments for signs of further escalation or potential civilian harm. The situation remains highly volatile, with the risk of broader regional involvement growing amid the unprecedented leadership transition in Iran.
