Arabic version: إيران تُبلغ عن أكثر من 1200 وفاة مدنية نتيجة الضربات الأمريكية الإسرائيلية
Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Ali Jafarian, announced that airstrikes by the United States and Israel have resulted in 1,255 deaths and over 12,000 injuries, predominantly among civilians. According to Al Jazeera, the casualties include 200 children and 11 healthcare workers, with ages ranging from eight months to 88 years.
The attacks have severely impacted healthcare facilities, with 29 clinical sites damaged and 10 forced to shut down. Additionally, 52 health centers, 18 emergency service locations, and 15 ambulances have either been damaged or destroyed. Jafarian emphasized that most victims were civilians, stating they were either at home or at work during the strikes.
The bombardment has also affected oil facilities, leading to toxic smoke spreading across Tehran. Jafarian warned of potential health risks, particularly respiratory issues for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. He advised residents to remain indoors with windows closed due to the thick smoke that enveloped the city.
Israeli officials claimed that the strikes targeted fuel storage facilities used for military operations. However, Jafarian insisted that these were not military targets and highlighted the environmental impact, including potential acid rain pollution.
The ongoing conflict has seen over 200 cities across Iran attacked since February 28, with no immediate end in sight. US and Israeli officials indicated that the military operations could extend for a month or more, as analysts noted a lack of clear pathways for de-escalation.
