The World Health Organization is preparing for the worst-case scenario if the US-Israel-Iran conflict escalates into a nuclear crisis, warning that the effects could last for decades worldwide.
On 19 March 2026 GMT+7, Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, revealed that WHO and United Nations officials are closely monitoring the risk of a "worst-case scenario" from the Middle East war if the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran escalates into a nuclear event.
She confirmed that officials are currently preparing closely, with WHO and UN personnel continuously tracking the impact of attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, while monitoring all radiation threats and nuclear accidents in every form.
Balkhy said the worst-case scenario would be a nuclear event, which WHO is most concerned about. No matter how prepared they are, it is impossible to prevent the consequences for the region, which could spread globally and last for many decades. WHO is preparing to respond broadly to any "nuclear event," including attacks on nuclear facilities or the use of nuclear weapons, though she emphasized strong hope that such an event will not occur.
Meanwhile, WHO reports that since June last year, the US has coordinated with Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear infrastructure at multiple sites, including Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, and these attacks have continued following the renewed operations launched on 28 February.
So far, no reports of radioactive contamination in the region have emerged, but WHO warns that if it occurs, it would have severe health impacts, including acute injuries to the lungs and skin, increased cancer risks, and long-term mental health problems. Examples cited include the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
Source: Politico