WHO prepares for 'worst-case scenario' as Iran war escalation triggers nuclear risk: 'Nothing can prevent the harm'

Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli center coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on March 9, 2026. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

WHO is preparing for a possible nuclear incident in the Middle East as US-Israel-Iran tensions rise. Officials warn such an event could have lasting global consequences, prompting emergency plans for radiation exposure and mass casualties.

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The World Health Organization is preparing for the possibility of a nuclear incident in the Middle East as the US-Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, raising alarm over the potential humanitarian consequences of further escalation.

Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Politico that health officials are closely monitoring developments and planning for worst-case scenarios, including attacks on nuclear facilities.

“The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident, and that's something that worries us the most,” Balkhy said.

Fears of long-term global impact

Balkhy warned that any nuclear incident would have consequences far beyond the immediate conflict zone, affecting both the region and the wider world for decades.

“As much as we prepare, there's nothing that can prevent the harm that will come… the region's way and globally if this eventually happens and the consequences are going to last for decades,” she said.

Her remarks highlight growing concern within international agencies that the conflict could move beyond conventional warfare and into a far more dangerous phase.

WHO preparing emergency response plans

According to Balkhy, WHO teams are actively preparing for multiple scenarios, including potential strikes on nuclear sites or even the use of nuclear weapons.

“We are thinking about it, and we're just really hoping that it does not happen,” she said.

Health officials are also reviewing protocols to deal with radiation exposure, mass casualties, and long-term environmental damage, drawing on lessons from past nuclear disasters.

Rising risks as conflict expands

The warning comes amid escalating strikes in the region, including attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and energy facilities. International agencies fear that continued targeting of such sites could increase the risk of a radiological incident, even if no nuclear weapons are used.

WHO officials have indicated they are “vigilant” about how far the conflict could escalate and are tracking developments closely.

The possibility of a nuclear incident adds a new dimension to an already volatile conflict. While there is no immediate indication of nuclear weapon use, the targeting of sensitive infrastructure has raised the stakes significantly.