ISTANBUL

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said early Friday that Iran saw over 20 attacks on its health care since early March amid US and Israeli attacks on the country.

"Since 1 March, WHO has verified over 20 attacks on health care in Iran, resulting in at least nine deaths, including that of an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on US social media platform X.

Ghebreyesus noted that multiple attacks on health care had been reported in Tehran in recent days, targeting the Pasteur Institute, Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital and the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility.

"The conflict in Iran, and the region, is impacting the delivery of health services and the safety of health workers, patients, and civilians present at health facilities. Peace is the best medicine," Ghebreyesus added.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.