Iran denies drone attack on Nakhchivan, says Israel seeks to harm ties

The World Health Organization said it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran during the US-Israeli campaign, killing four health workers and injuring 25 others.

“WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran and one in Lebanon,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

A WHO official said four ambulances were affected and that hospitals and other health sites suffered minor damage from nearby strikes.

Turkey strongly condemned Iranian drone attacks on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave and called for an end to strikes targeting third countries.

“We emphasize once again the need to stop attacks targeting third countries in the region and carrying the risk of spreading the war,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the top diplomats of Turkey and Azerbaijan discussed the attacks in a phone call earlier on Thursday.

US Central Command said Iran’s ability to impact US forces and regional partners is “rapidly declining,” while American combat power in the region continues to build.

“The Iranian regime's ability to impact US forces and regional partners is rapidly declining, while American combat power continues to build,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.

Attacks struck sports venues, police stations and a waterpark in Tehran used by Iran’s security forces for self-protection, Iran International has learned.

An anti-narcotics police station, another police station in southeastern Tehran and the municipal building of Tehran’s District 18 were among the locations.

Others included Be’sat and Azadi stadiums, the Shahidan Esmaili and Eskandarlou sports complexes as well as Azadegan water park.

The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Middle East crisis, while reiterating that countries in the Persian Gulf have the right to defend themselves against Iran.

“The ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for protection of civilians and full respect of international law,” the EU and GCC said in a joint statement after a videoconference of European and Gulf foreign ministers.

“The ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis,” the statement said, adding they agreed on “joint diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting solution” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and “ultimately allow the Iranian people to determine their future.”