The influx overwhelmed hospitals already strained by years of sanctions, staff shortages, and infrastructure decay. Iran’s domestic pharmaceutical production, which once covered much of the population’s basic medical needs, now struggles with raw material shortages. The conflict further depleted local capacity, as doctors were reassigned to military hospitals in Tehran. “During the Iran-Iraq War, doctors were drafted, medicines were seized, and the public suffered. “During the Iran-Iraq War, doctors were drafted, medicines were seized, and the public suffered,” he said.