Iran says over 85,000 civilian sites damaged in US-Israeli strikes

2026-03-25 - 09:30

The head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society has revealed the staggering scale of destruction inflicted on civilian infrastructure since the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran. Pirhossein Kolivand announced on Wednesday that 85,176 civilian sites have been damaged, comprising 64,583 residential units and 19,690 commercial properties, according to the Mehr News Agency. A breakdown of the destruction Kolivand detailed that the capital province of Tehran sustained the heaviest damage. Among the affected sites, 282 medical centers and 600 schools were specifically targeted. The Iranian official asserted that such actions amount to “war crimes” under the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit attacks on civilian infrastructure and objects essential for civilian survival. A conflict with no end in sight The reported destruction comes as the war, which began on February 28 with a joint US‐Israeli air offensive, continues to exact a heavy toll. Over 1,340 people have been killed since hostilities commenced, including Iran’s then‐supreme leader. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes against Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting American military assets, causing further casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure while disrupting global aviation and energy markets. Türkiye’s humanitarian concern Ankara has repeatedly voiced alarm over the targeting of civilian infrastructure in the conflict. Türkiye has consistently called on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and to protect non‐combatants. As a nation that has itself endured the consequences of regional instability, Türkiye continues to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for unhindered humanitarian access to affected communities, emphasizing that the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals only deepens the cycle of suffering and prolongs the path to peace.