On 28 February 2026, a significant military escalation was reported across Iran following coordinated attacks against Iranian targets. Multiple explosions occurred in Tehran and other urban areas during the early morning hours, with air raid sirens sounding in parts of the country and reportedly in neighboring areas. The developments have heightened insecurity and concern among civilian populations. Information from within Iran remains severely constrained due to a near-total internet disruption, with reports indicating national connectivity dropped to approximately four percent, significantly limiting communication, coordination, and verification from affected communities. While no confirmed comprehensive casualty figures are available at this stage, reported strikes in populated urban areas raise concerns regarding potential direct and indirect impacts on civilians and reinforce the importance of prioritizing their protection. IFRC is maintaining close coordination with the National Society in Iran and monitoring regional developments as the situation evolves. This report is based on open-source information available at the time of writing and reflects a rapidly developing context with notable information gaps; it is intended as an initial humanitarian snapshot rather than a comprehensive field report.
Scope and Scale
As of 28 February 2026, the reported coordinated military strikes across multiple Iranian cities have produced immediate and significant humanitarian consequences. Explosions were reported in densely populated urban areas, including Tehran and other major cities, resulting in confirmed civilian casualties. Open-source reporting indicates confirmed civilian casualties across multiple provinces, with Iranian Red Crescent figures cited by international media reporting 201 deaths and 747 injuries across 24 provinces.
Particularly grave is the reported strike on a girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan province, where media sources indicate over 100 girls were killed and many more injured. Strikes affecting civilian locations especially educational facilities underscore the acute protection risks faced by children and the broader civilian population during military escalation.
Beyond direct loss of life, the strikes have caused widespread fear, panic, and disruption to daily life. Authorities reportedly closed schools in several areas, and families have sought safer locations amid uncertainty. Nationwide internet connectivity disruptions, reported to have dropped to approximately four percent have significantly limited communication, hampered access to information, and constrained humanitarian situational awareness. Airspace closures, transport interruptions, and heightened security measures have further restricted mobility and may affect access to medical care, markets, and essential services.
The impacts extend beyond immediate casualties. Disruptions to electricity, telecommunications, transport networks, and potentially health facilities may create reverberating humanitarian effects, including interruptions in emergency and chronic healthcare, water access, fuel supply, and food distribution systems. Livelihoods are at risk due to market instability, temporary business closures, reduced consumer activity, and uncertainty linked to the security environment. Low-income households, daily wage earners, and informal workers are particularly vulnerable to sudden income loss and rising prices of essential goods.
The populations most affected are civilians living in densely populated urban areas, particularly those residing near strategic, governmental, or infrastructure sites. Children are among the most vulnerable, as highlighted by the reported attack on a school and the suspension of educational activities. Older persons, persons with disabilities, and individuals with chronic medical conditions face heightened risks due to mobility limitations and dependence on functioning public services. Women and caregivers may shoulder increased protection and care responsibilities during instability. Any internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, migrants, or economically marginalized urban residents face compounded vulnerabilities due to insecure housing, limited resources, and reduced coping capacity.
Historically, similar episodes involving the use of explosive weapons in populated areas have resulted not only in immediate civilian casualties but also in prolonged indirect harm stemming from damaged infrastructure, displacement, economic contraction, and psychosocial distress.