From 16 Jul 2026Iran accuses US of 'barbaric attack' near children's cancer hospitalIran has accused the US of launching a “barbaric attack” near a children’s cancer hospital in Ahvaz south-west of the country.The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said the hospital was forced to evacuate, causing “severe suffering and anxiety” for the children being treated there.In a post on X, he said:
double quotation markShahid Baqaei Hospital, a children’s cancer treatment centre in Ahvaz, was evacuated last night after the US attacked a nearby location.
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.
This constitutes a cowardly war crime against the most innocent of human beings – children who are bravely fighting for their lives.”
The US did not immediately comment on the allegation. The US military has intensified its strikes and widened its targets in Iran in recent days, with Iranian state media reporting explosions in several cities in the north and south and around the capital Tehran.Key events16 Jul 2026The day so far16 Jul 2026US strikes hit around Iran's Qeshm island – Iranian media16 Jul 2026Trump’s Board of Peace drops full Gaza recovery plan in favour of tiny pilot scheme16 Jul 2026Kuwait says it is responding to new round of incoming fire from Iran16 Jul 2026Drone strikes ship off Iraqi port - reports16 Jul 2026Syria seize weapons at Iraqi border bound for Hezbollah - report16 Jul 2026Iran accuses US of 'barbaric attack' near children's cancer hospital16 Jul 2026Lebanon vows to end Hezbollah's military presence, says foreign minister16 Jul 2026Netanyahu will not travel to US next week, his office says16 Jul 2026Israel tells US it will keep troops in occupied 'security zones' in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza16 Jul 2026India orders shipowners to avoid sending Indian crew members on Hormuz routes16 Jul 2026Iran threatens to destroy regional infrastructure if its own is attacked16 Jul 2026Pakistan urges US and Iran to return to negotiating table16 Jul 2026Opening summary: US strikes expand to northern IranThe day so farWe’re pausing our live coverage now, here is a summary of the day’s main developments:
