The World Health Organization has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict has entered a dangerous new phase, following recent strikes near sensitive nuclear installations in both Iran and Israel.
Speaking on Sunday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as “perilous,” stressing that attacks on nuclear-linked sites pose significant risks to public health and environmental safety.
Tensions escalated after an Iranian ballistic missile struck the southern Israeli town of Dimona late Saturday, damaging residential buildings and leaving dozens injured.
The town is widely believed to host Israel’s only nuclear facility, though the Israeli government maintains the site is strictly for research purposes.
Iran stated the strike was retaliatory, following an earlier assault on its nuclear installation in Natanz.
The Natanz site, which houses underground centrifuges used for uranium enrichment, had reportedly sustained damage during earlier hostilities.
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In his statement, Tedros urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, warning that continued escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences. “Leaders must prioritise de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” he said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is currently assessing the impact of the strikes. According to Tedros, there have been no reports of abnormal radiation levels outside the affected sites so far.
The conflict, which began on February 28 after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, has since expanded across the region.
Iran has responded with attacks on Israeli and Gulf locations, while the Iran-backed group Hezbollah has also joined the fighting from Lebanon.
Amid growing concerns, the WHO revealed it has intensified emergency preparedness efforts, providing training to its personnel and other United Nations staff across 13 countries to respond effectively in the event of a nuclear-related health crisis.