A severe attack has occurred at a cancer hospital in southwestern Iran. Iran has blamed the United States for the incident. According to a live report by the Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, 211 patients were urgently evacuated from the Baghaei Specialized Hospital in the Iranian city of Ahvaz following the attack.
Hospital Director Reza Bazar stated that the facility has become virtually inoperable due to the US attack on Ahvaz. However, there have been no reports of casualties among the patients or staff.
Dr. Majid Bou-Azar, the hospital’s manager, told Al Jazeera that 211 patients had to be transferred to other hospitals due to the US attack.
He noted that the evacuated group included many critically ill individuals, including cancer patients. A hospital staff member told Al Jazeera, “Patients with specialized medical needs, including cancer patients, were being treated here. Unfortunately, the area surrounding the hospital was subjected to heavy bombardment. Many patients were on oxygen support or ventilators at the time.”
He added, “Some left the hospital carrying infants, others with IV lines still attached, and some in wheelchairs. Everyone was quickly evacuated.”
Iran has condemned the US attack, describing it as “barbaric.” Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the country’s Foreign Ministry, stated in a post on the social media platform X that this barbaric attack is reminiscent of the brutal assaults carried out by Israel on healthcare facilities. He noted that the incident subjected hospitalized children to extreme distress and terror.
He confirmed that 211 patients undergoing chemotherapy had to be urgently relocated.
The United States has not yet commented on the attack.
