The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are calling for the protection of health workers and facilities in the Middle East due to attacks during the conflict. The escalating situation threatens the collapse of fragile healthcare systems in the region. Joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026 resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On March 4, Israel carried out further airstrikes against Iran and Hezbollah positions in Beirut. An American submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka. Hezbollah killed 87 Iranians in retaliation against countries in the region. On March 4, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards threatened to completely destroy military and economic targets.