"Condolence message from TUMS Chancellor for the Supreme Leader's martyrdom

Representatives of International Health and Humanitarian Organizations in I.R. IranExcellencies,Greetings,In light of the escalating military confrontations in the region, the academic and medical community at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) wishes to express profound concern regarding the potential consequences for human health, healthcare systems, and environmental safety.Recent reports indicate that at least 13 hospitals and health facilities have been affected, with healthcare workers killed or injured and hospitals evacuated due to nearby strikes, while approximately 100,000 people have reportedly been displaced amid ongoing hostilities. These developments raise serious concerns about the protection of healthcare infrastructure and the continuity of essential medical services.Globally, attacks on healthcare in conflict settings have reached alarming historical levels, reflecting a growing threat to health systems and humanitarian access. In fragile and emergency-affected settings, over 1,000 attacks on healthcare are recorded annually, further undermining the ability of health systems to deliver life-saving care. Under international humanitarian law—including the protections established in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions—medical personnel, patients, healthcare facilities, and medical transport must be respected and protected at all times.Beyond the immediate humanitarian toll, armed conflicts can severely disrupt essential health services and generate broader public health risks, including displacement, disease outbreaks, and environmental contamination affecting air, soil, and water, with potential long-term consequences for population health.In this context, we respectfully urge the international health and humanitarian community to strengthen efforts to:• Safeguard hospitals, healthcare personnel, and medical services in accordance with international humanitarian law;• Monitor and document the health and environmental consequences of armed conflict;• Support scientific and medical cooperation aimed at protecting civilian populations and maintaining essential health services.As Iran’s premium and largest academic medical institution, TUMS stands ready to collaborate with international partners in documenting health impacts and advancing evidence-informed responses to mitigate the health and environmental consequences of conflict. We would welcome continued engagement with international partners to ensure that the protection of health and humanitarian principles remains central to the global response.We remain hopeful for the protection of human life, the preservation of healthcare systems, and the full respect for humanitarian principles.

Sincerely,Prof. Seyed Reza Reis Karami, MDChancellor