The ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has taken a tragic toll on humanitarian workers, with reports confirming that three volunteers of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) have been killed while carrying out lifesaving duties.
The deaths, which have drawn strong reactions from humanitarian organizations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), highlight the growing dangers faced by aid workers in the escalating conflict.
Among those confirmed killed is Alireza Sohbatloo, an IRCS volunteer who lost his life while responding to emergencies caused by the ongoing airstrikes.
Alireza died in an airstrike on 31 March while providing critical humanitarian support at a medical clinic in Zanjan.
He was 35 years old and had served the IRCS for 15 years. His death underscore the extreme risks faced by emergency responders operating in active conflict zones.
The IFRC had earlier confirmed the deaths of other IRCS personnel, including volunteers killed during search-and-rescue missions and while delivering humanitarian assistance amid airstrikes.
The killing of Red Crescent volunteers comes amid a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Iran.
According to humanitarian data, more than 1,900 people have been killed and at least 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes, with the IRCS leading nationwide emergency response efforts.
Despite the dangers, Red Crescent teams continue to operate across affected areas conducting:
- Search and rescue operations
- Medical evacuations
- Emergency relief distribution
However, aid workers say they are often forced to work under constant threat of repeated airstrikes, sometimes returning to the same site multiple times a day.
The deaths have sparked outrage within the global humanitarian community, with the ICRC and IFRC reiterating urgent calls for respect for International Humanitarian Law.
Humanitarian law requires all parties in a conflict to:
- Protect civilians
- Ensure the safety of medical and aid workers
- Respect the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems
“The killing of volunteers providing lifesaving assistance is unacceptable,” humanitarian officials stressed, warning that continued attacks on aid workers could severely disrupt relief operations.
The Iranian Red Crescent remains the primary nationwide humanitarian responder in the country, deploying thousands of volunteers to assist victims of the war.
A Call for Urgent Action
Humanitarian organizations are now urging all parties involved in the conflict to:
- Respect international humanitarian law
- Guarantee safe access for aid workers
- Prevent further loss of life among civilians and responders.