On April 18, 2026, a delegation of senior officials from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Norwegian Red Cross visited the Pasteur Institute of Iran to assess the damage inflicted by recent hostile aerial attacks. The visit was conducted in the company of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

During the visit, Dr. Xavier Castellanos, IFRC Deputy Secretary General; Dr. Cristhian Cortez Cardoza, Deputy Director of the IFRC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa; Dr. Jorgen Haldorsen, International Director of the Norwegian Red Cross; Dr. Rui Oliveira, Project Manager for Emergency Response related to Iran; and Dr. Yeghia Boyajian, Logistics Coordinator for Emergency Response related to Iran, toured various damaged sections of the institute.

Dr. Ehsan Mostafavi, Director-General of the Pasteur Institute of Iran, presented a report on the extent of the damage to laboratory and research infrastructure, the Institute's role within the national network of reference laboratories, and the challenges arising from the attacks. He also outlined the planning underway to ensure the continuity of the Institute's services.

The visiting delegation expressed their sympathy and concern over the damage inflicted on one of Iran's most important public health institutions. They emphasized the significance of the Pasteur Institute of Iran for both national and international health systems, as well as the need to explore avenues for the international community to support the reconstruction of this center.