Iranian Officials Warn: Sanctions and Siege Are Fueling Mass Deaths, Especially Among Children

The Iranian Cabinet convened this morning, Wednesday, August 13, under the chairmanship of Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Presidential Office, in addition to presenting executive matters by various ministers, the Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education delivered a detailed report on the effects of sanctions on increasing mortality in targeted countries. The report examined the situation in 152 sanctioned countries from 1970 to 2021.

The report revealed that in 1960, 8% of countries were affected by sanctions, rising to 25% by 2022. The most severe impacts were observed among children aged 1–5 and elderly individuals aged 60–70, with 77% of total deaths occurring within these age groups.

Reacting to this report, Pezeshkian highlighted the dire situation in Gaza due to ongoing and intensified crimes by the “child-killing” Israeli regime, noting the deaths of children and defenseless people from starvation caused by the oppressive siege imposed by the occupying regime. He stressed that world leaders, international organizations, and humanitarian and human rights groups must pay close attention to this report, as deaths caused by sanctions have far exceeded those in World War I and II.

The President also responded to recent interventionist remarks by Israel’s Prime Minister regarding Iran, stating: “Those who falsely claim concern for the Iranian people should first look at the dire conditions in Gaza, where innocent civilians, especially children, face death due to starvation, lack of clean water, and insufficient access to medicine because of the cruel siege by the same ruthless regime.”

Pezeshkian added: “The criminal Israeli regime seeks to subjugate all countries in the region and has repeatedly attacked neighboring and non-neighboring states, leaving nothing but destruction and targeting women and children in the most brutal ways. Claims of humanitarian concern from such evil actors are nothing but mockery and deception of the people.”

During the session, several ministers outlined their weekly plans. The Minister of Health reported on programs related to family medicine, referral systems, and expanding healthcare support in underserved areas.

Additionally, Professor Danekar from the University of Tehran and a member of the High Council for Environment presented a report on environmental hazards and climate change.

Finally, the Central Bank Governor briefed the Cabinet on the historical trajectory of sanctions and UN resolutions, the potential impacts of activating the “snapback” mechanism, and the measures taken to neutralize these effects.