Iran says 1,255 people killed in US-Israeli attacks, mostly civilians | US-Israel war on Iran News
Airstrikes in Iran Reportedly Damage Healthcare Facilities
TEHRAN — Iranian Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian reported on Monday that airstrikes attributed to the United States and Israel have resulted in significant civilian casualties and damaged numerous healthcare facilities across the country.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Jafarian indicated that at least 1,255 individuals have died due to the ongoing violence, including 200 children and 11 healthcare workers. The ages of those killed ranged from eight months to 88 years. “Most of the victims were civilians,” he said, noting that many were staying at home or at work when the strikes occurred.
Additionally, more than 12,000 people sustained injuries, primarily from burns and crush-related incidents. Jafarian stated that 29 medical facilities have been damaged, with ten having to close, along with 52 health centers, 18 emergency service locations, and 15 ambulances also affected.
Concerned about public health risks, Jafarian attributed the alarming levels of air pollution, including the spread of toxic smoke, to recent attacks on oil facilities in Tehran. He described a situation in which thick smoke obscured visibility in the city, remarking, “The whole city was dark until the afternoon yesterday.” On Saturday, a series of airstrikes on oil structures led to at least four fatalities in Iran.
The assaults have ignited large fires at several oil storage sites, including the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeastern Tehran, the Tehran refinery in the south, and the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran. Jafarian emphasized the potential for respiratory issues among vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, urging residents to remain indoors with windows closed.
Jafarian also warned that acid rain resulting from these strikes could lead to soil contamination, raising concerns about longer-term environmental damage. He criticized the military rationale behind the attacks, asserting that they primarily targeted civilian infrastructure.
Since the onset of airstrikes on February 28, over 200 cities across Iran have reportedly been impacted, with civilian areas largely in the crosshairs, according to the deputy minister. As of Monday, reports indicated ongoing explosions in Qom and Tehran.
U.S. and Israeli officials suggested that military operations may continue for at least another month, amidst a chaotic environment with no apparent clear path toward de-escalation.
