The Lancet has warned in a new report that damage to Iran’s Pasteur Institute could have consequences beyond the country’s borders and pose a threat to regional health security.
According to the medical journal, the institute, one of Iran’s oldest and most important centers for infectious disease research, vaccine production, and public health studies, suffered major damage during the recent strikes. Parts of its laboratory infrastructure, specialized equipment, and research samples were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
The Lancet said any disruption to the institute’s work could affect disease surveillance, regional scientific cooperation, and preparedness for future health emergencies. It also stressed that scientific and medical centers should remain protected from military conflicts under international principles.
The report added that damage to such institutions is not just a domestic issue, as it can have wider consequences for public health across the region, especially at a time when cross-border cooperation is increasingly important for controlling infectious diseases.
