Pediatric Cancer Center Evacuated Near Ahvaz Hospital Following US Strikes

AHVAZ, Iran — A pediatric cancer center located adjacent to Shahid Baghaei Hospital in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz was temporarily evacuated Tuesday evening following United States military strikes on nearby facilities. The evacuation order came shortly after explosions were reported in the vicinity, prompting hospital administrators to move patients and medical staff from the specialized oncology unit to ensure their safety.

The facility, which treats children with various forms of cancer across the Khuzestan province, was not directly targeted but sits within a zone affected by the recent kinetic operations. Hospital officials stated that all non-critical procedures were suspended immediately as emergency protocols were activated. Patients requiring continuous care were relocated to secure areas within the hospital complex or transferred to other medical centers in the region.

The United States military has confirmed conducting strikes on specific sites near Ahvaz, citing intelligence regarding high-value targets associated with regional militant activities. American officials stated that precision munitions were used and warned of potential collateral risks due to the proximity of civilian infrastructure. No official casualty figures have been released by either side as assessments continue.

Iranian state media reported that the strikes caused significant structural damage to surrounding buildings, generating shockwaves that compromised the stability of nearby medical wings. Emergency services in Ahvaz were seen responding to multiple locations throughout the evening, with smoke rising from several points near the hospital district visible from miles away. Local residents described a series of loud booms followed by sirens as security forces cordoned off streets leading to Shahid Baghaei Hospital.

Medical staff at the pediatric center expressed concern over the disruption to treatment schedules for vulnerable children, many of whom are in critical condition and cannot tolerate long periods without medication or specialized monitoring. The temporary displacement has created logistical challenges for families who were visiting patients during evening hours, with some stranded outside restricted zones while others rushed to retrieve their children from emergency shelters.

As night fell over Ahvaz, the status of the pediatric unit remained uncertain. Hospital administrators have not provided a timeline for when operations might resume or if the facility will remain closed indefinitely pending safety inspections. Questions regarding the extent of damage to medical equipment and whether radiation therapy units were compromised by the nearby blasts remain unanswered.

International observers are monitoring the situation closely, with calls growing for an immediate cessation of hostilities in areas containing critical civilian infrastructure. The United Nations has urged all parties involved to exercise extreme caution to prevent harm to vulnerable populations, including children undergoing life-saving treatments. For now, families wait outside the hospital gates as security personnel maintain a tight perimeter around the evacuated zones.