81,000 sites including hospitals damaged since Iran war began- Red Crescent

Pirhossein Kolivand, the leader of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, has reported significant damage to civilian buildings caused by recent attacks. He called these incidents “alarming acts and war crimes” committed by Israeli and U.S. forces. Kolivand urged international organizations to quickly intervene to stop attacks on civilians, medical staff, aid workers, schools, and vital infrastructure, and to ensure that those responsible face justice. According to his findings, 81,365 civilian structures have been impacted in Iran, which includes 61,555 homes and 19,020 businesses. “These figures are not just numbers,” he remarked. “Each unit represents a family, a life, a job, a memory, and a future shattered by war and violence.” In Tehran province alone, 24,605 structures have been affected. The attacks have also hit essential services. Kolivand reported that 275 medical and emergency facilities, 498 schools, 17 Red Crescent centers, three helicopters, and 48 operational vehicles, including ambulances and rescue vehicles, have been damaged. He stated, “Attacks on these facilities, helicopters, and equipment are not merely damage to property. They are direct attacks on the services that save lives.” Kolivand pointed out that international humanitarian law offers special protection to civilians, healthcare workers, aid personnel, hospitals, schools, and medical transport, including helicopters. He warned that damaging medical facilities, schools, ambulances, rescue helicopters, and aid bases is not just a loss of property; it violates key principles such as distinguishing between military and civilian targets, proportionality, and caution in attacks. “Any attack on aid workers, patients, students, teachers, and civilian families must be thoroughly investigated by capable international organizations, with those responsible held accountable for the legal and humanitarian consequences,” he stated. Kolivand highlighted that the Iranian Red Crescent, as part of its humanitarian role, continuously reports damages to civilians, medical centers, schools, aid workers, and relief infrastructure through official channels linked to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other relevant organizations.