Iran Says Civilian Casualties Rise as US-Israel Strikes Damage Hospitals and Oil Facilities
Iran has reported that at least 1,255 people have been killed following ongoing US-Israel air attacks on Iran, with officials saying most of the victims were civilians.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian said the death toll includes around 200 children and 11 healthcare workers, with victims ranging in age from eight months to 88 years old. Authorities also confirmed that more than 12,000 people have been wounded, many suffering from burns and crush injuries caused by the strikes.
Jafarian said many of those killed were ordinary civilians, attacked while inside their homes or workplaces during the bombardments.
Healthcare Facilities Severely Damaged
According to Iranian officials, the US-Israel strikes have caused significant damage to the country’s healthcare system. So far, 29 clinical facilities have been damaged, with 10 hospitals forced to shut down due to destruction or safety concerns.
In addition, 52 health centres, 18 emergency response sites, and 15 ambulances have been either damaged or destroyed, placing further strain on emergency services responding to the crisis.
Oil Facility Attacks Trigger Environmental Concerns
The conflict intensified after Israeli air strikes targeted Iran’s oil facilities for the first time since the war began. The attacks caused large fires and thick toxic smoke to spread across Tehran, darkening the city’s sky for hours.
Several key oil and fuel facilities in Tehran were reportedly struck during the attacks. These included the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeastern Tehran, the Tehran oil refinery located in the southern part of the capital, and the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran. The strikes triggered fires and heavy smoke across parts of the city. Israeli officials stated that the targets were fuel storage facilities believed to support Iran’s military infrastructure and operations.
However, Iranian authorities warned the attacks could create serious health risks, particularly for children and elderly residents, due to toxic smoke and potential respiratory problems.
Jafarian also warned that acid rain could contaminate soil and cause long-term environmental damage in affected areas.
Hundreds of Cities Affected
Iranian officials say more than 200 cities across the country have been hit since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began on February 28.
Despite rising casualties and widespread destruction, the conflict shows no immediate signs of slowing down. Reports of new explosions in Tehran and Qom continued on Monday as air strikes persisted.
Officials in Washington and Tel Aviv have indicated that the Iran war could continue for weeks or even longer, with analysts warning that there is currently no clear path to de-escalation.
Source: Al Jazeera