In a post on his X account late on Thursday, Esmaeil Baghaei wrote, “The Lancet, a world-leading medical journal has warned that damage to Pasteur Institute of Iran, as the result of US-Israeli attacks, threatens regional health security.”
According to the Lancet, “The Pasteur Institute of Iran has been a pillar of the country’s public health,” he added.
In March 2026, the Pasteur Institute of Iran sustained considerable damage from airstrikes, representing a severe threat to public health infrastructure…., the spokesman continued.
This prestigious medical institute has played a key and important role in production and development of vaccines, reference laboratory services, disease diagnosis and monitoring of infectious and contagious diseases, including COVID-19, cholera, rabies, measles, tuberculosis, AIDS and viral hepatitis. Damage to this institute is not just a symbolic loss, but a serious and immediate threat to public health. This issue is not limited to Iran and could affect public health throughout the region, Baghaei emphasized.
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