On April 2, 2026, American and Israeli forces struck the Pasteur Institute in Tehran, destroying laboratories, equipment, and heritage structures. Consequently, vaccine production for hepatitis B, BCG tuberculosis, and rabies stopped immediately. The attack intensified the ongoing conflict and drew international condemnation. The Pasteur Institute, central to Iran’s public health for over a century, represents both scientific achievement and national heritage.
The Pasteur Institute was founded in 1921 with support from France’s Institut Pasteur. Moreover, it became a hub for training generations of Iranian scientists and producing vaccines that saved millions of lives. During COVID-19, it coordinated national testing and produced vaccines, including PastoCovac, in partnership with Cuba. Experts note that the institute’s research has had global significance, ranging from epidemiology breakthroughs to antiviral treatments.
Legal analysts called the strike a violation of international law. They emphasized that the Geneva Conventions protect civilian medical infrastructure. In addition, over 100 international law scholars warned that targeting hospitals and research centers endangers civilian lives and could constitute war crimes. Observers argue that no credible evidence suggests the Pasteur Institute had military use.
The strike is part of a wider pattern. Since early March, more than 20 Iranian healthcare facilities faced attacks, including hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, and Red Crescent warehouses. These strikes disrupted medical services and endangered patients. Iranian officials responded by shifting vaccine production to alternative facilities to maintain continuity.
President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the WHO and Red Cross to intervene. Meanwhile, the international community has largely remained silent. Nevertheless, Iran emphasizes its determination to maintain scientific research and public health services. As rebuilding begins, experts stress the need for international action to protect civilian scientific institutions during conflicts.
The Pasteur Institute attack represents more than physical destruction. It symbolizes a blow to global health, scientific collaboration, and Iran’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, it highlights the risks of modern conflicts targeting civilian research centers. Iran’s resilience, however, ensures that the institute’s legacy will continue.