The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced grave concern over the possibility of a nuclear incident in the ongoing US-Israel led war against Iran, as tensions continue to rise following strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in recent weeks.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Politico that the agency’s “top concern” is preparing for what she described as a “worst-case scenario.”
“The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident, and that’s something that worries us the most. As much as we prepare, there’s nothing that can prevent the harm that will come … the region’s way — and globally if this eventually happens — and the consequences are going to last for decades,” she said.
Her remarks come in the wake of reported attacks on Iran’s Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan nuclear sites since late February 2026, amid escalating US-Israel-Iran hostilities. Dr. Balkhy clarified that WHO staff are preparing for a nuclear incident “in its broader sense” — whether through an attack on a nuclear facility or the use of a nuclear weapon.
“We are thinking about it, and we’re just really hoping that it does not happen,” she added.
Meanwhile, there are already reports suggesting that the WHO has begun refresher training for its staff on how to respond to a nuclear incident, updating protocols and issuing guidance to health officials. These measures include public health advice on sheltering, decontamination, and monitoring exposure.
Health risks highlighted by the agency range from immediate trauma to lungs and skin due to high radiation exposure, to long-term increases in cancer risk and mental health challenges.
This builds on Dr. Balkhy’s earlier statement on March 6, 2026, when she noted damage to Iran’s Natanz site. At the time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no radiological release or immediate public health impact. While WHO stressed that the likelihood of a release was low, it warned that the potential health consequences could be significant.
WHO officials emphasized that no nuclear incident or radiation release has occurred so far, and that the organization remains in a vigilant monitoring posture, coordinating with partners to ensure health authorities are ready to assess risks and protect populations if the situation deteriorates.
