Global Health Leaders Warn of Regional Crisis After Attack on Iran's Pasteur Institute

The head of the Pasteur Network has issued a stark warning about the regional health security implications following damage to the Pasteur Institute of Iran during recent airstrikes. Mario Moreira, President of the global alliance, expressed deep concern over the disruption to a century-old institution critical for disease surveillance and control in the Middle East.

"The reported damage is deeply concerning," Moreira stated. "This institution supports the health of populations in Iran and the region. When such capacities are disrupted, diagnostics, surveillance, and response to threats are affected, with potential implications for health security beyond national borders."

The Pasteur Institute of Iran, founded in 1920, is a key member of the 32-organization Pasteur Network. It operates national reference laboratories and World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers, contributing to global public health through disease surveillance, diagnostics, and production of essential medical supplies.

The network emphasized that damaging such infrastructure weakens outbreak detection, disrupts essential public health functions, and reduces preparedness for emerging infectious diseases—a direct threat to regional and global health security.

WHO Director-General Sounds Alarm

The warning follows similar concerns raised by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. On April 3, he noted on social media that "the Pasteur Institute in Iran sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services."

He highlighted that two of the institute's departments function as WHO collaborating centers and stressed that the ongoing conflict is "impacting the delivery of health services and the safety of health workers."

Iranian Officials Condemn 'Crime Against Humanity'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on international health organizations and doctors worldwide to respond to what he termed a "crime against humanity." In a post on social media, he questioned the logic of attacking hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical research centers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei separately condemned the strike as "heartbreaking, cruel, despicable, and utterly outrageous," describing the institute as "the oldest and most prestigious research and public health center in Iran and the entire Middle East."

Broader Pattern of Attacks on Healthcare

The incident is part of a wider pattern. Since March 1, WHO has verified over 20 attacks on healthcare in Iran, resulting in at least nine deaths. Other damaged facilities include Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital (struck March 29) and Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical plant—which produced cancer and multiple sclerosis medicines—(struck March 31). An explosion near Imam Ali Hospital in Andimeshk also forced an evacuation on March 21.

The Pasteur Network commended its Iranian colleagues for maintaining essential functions under extreme duress and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting health institutions worldwide. The organization stressed that safeguarding such scientific pillars is crucial for maintaining public health defenses during crises.