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Fire at Hospital in Iran’s North Kills 9 Patients

The Iranian flag. (AFP)
The Iranian flag. (AFP)
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Fire at Hospital in Iran’s North Kills 9 Patients

The Iranian flag. (AFP)
The Iranian flag. (AFP)

A fire broke out at a hospital in Iran's north, killing nine patients, state media reported Tuesday.

The blaze started at 1:30 local time (2200GMT) at Qaem Hospital in the city of Rasht, some 330 kilometers (about 205 miles) northwest of the capital Tehran, state TV said, leaving six women and three men dead.

Chief of the city fire department, Shahram Momeni, said on state TV that an electric short circuit in the basement — which harbors the intensive care unit — malfunctioned, causing the fire.

Momeni said emergency workers rescued more than 140 people, patients and hospital staff, after being trapped because of the smoke, and that 120 of them were hospitalized in other medical facilities. He added that an investigation has been ordered.

A video posted online appeared to show smoke billowing from the hospital in the middle of the night.

Iranian media occasionally report on fires in hospitals and clinics that are mainly blamed on technical issues.

In 2020, an explosion from a gas leak in a medical clinic in northern Tehran killed 19 people.

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Israeli Officials Threaten to Assassinate Khamenei

A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
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Israeli Officials Threaten to Assassinate Khamenei

A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)
A photo released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense showing F-22 and F-35 fighter jets during a military mission (Archive Photo)

As Tel Aviv and Washington discuss Israel’s response to a recent Iranian missile attack, Israeli officials hinted at a threat against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Amichai Chikli, the Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, is one of the officials that made such comments after Khamenei posted on X following Iran’s launch of around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
In response to Khamenei’s remarks, Chikli wrote, “You are the root of all problems in our region, but that won’t last long.”
Analysts connected his remarks to previous threats from higher-ranking officials.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana warned Khamenei in a post, saying his end is near and to “say hello to your end.”
Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi issued a more ambiguous threat.
“This is not the last we have to offer... Anyone who threatens Israeli citizens will be reached,” said Halevi.
“We are fully prepared on all fronts, and our forces must ensure complete readiness and coordination with other agencies,” he emphasized.
After the Iranian attack on Israel, Reuters reported that Khamenei was moved to a secure location, as confirmed by a reliable source. The source stated that Khamenei ordered the missile strikes on Israel.
Iran aimed to communicate that the attack was a response to the deaths of key figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. However, Israeli leaders have stated their determination to keep the score open and retaliate strongly against the assault.