Iran Accuses US of Strike Near Children's Cancer Hospital in Ahvaz

Tehran: Iran has accused the United States of carrying out a strike near a children's cancer hospital in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, adding that the attack forced the emergency evacuation of hundreds of young patients undergoing treatment.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the Shahid Baqaei Hospital, a specialised cancer treatment centre for children, was evacuated after a nearby location was targeted in a US strike.

In a post on X, Baghaei informed that the attack caused "severe suffering and anxiety" among children receiving treatment and their families. He claimed that 211 patients undergoing chemotherapy had to be evacuated from the hospital following the incident.

Describing the strike as a "barbaric attack," Baghaei compared it to what he called Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities and accused the United States of committing a "cowardly war crime" against children.

"This barbaric attack, reminiscent of Israel's atrocities against healthcare facilities, caused severe suffering and anxiety upon the hospitalised children and forced the emergency evacuation of 211 patients undergoing chemotherapy," he said.

The United States had not immediately responded to the allegations.

The accusation comes amid an escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran. In recent days, the US military has intensified its strikes and expanded the range of targets across Iran. Iranian state media have reported explosions in several cities in the north and south of the country, as well as in areas surrounding the capital, Tehran.

The extent of damage near the hospital and whether the medical facility itself sustained any direct impact could not be independently verified. There were also no immediate reports of casualties among patients or hospital staff.

The latest developments add to growing international concerns over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly the safety of civilians and the protection of medical facilities under international humanitarian law.