Sphere urges protection of civilians as conflict escalates in Iran

Sphere, host of the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, expresses grave concern over the escalating conflict in Iran. The intensification of military action in the region, including recent strikes on Iranian territory, poses a growing threat to thousands of civilians already facing widespread economic hardship and severely limited access to essential services.

Multiple, overlapping crises, including sanctions, inflation, infrastructure failures, drought, energy shortages, and the impact of conflict, are eroding the safety of people across Iran. The international community has a collective responsibility to prevent further suffering and to support efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

The right to life with dignity, as affirmed in international humanitarian and human rights law and reaffirmed in the Sphere Humanitarian Charter, must be upheld. Any action that harms civilians or obstructs access to humanitarian assistance constitutes a serious violation of these legal and moral obligations.

Sphere joins the UN Secretary-General in urging all parties to de-escalate the violence and prioritise the protection of civilians. We call on all military actors, including Israel, the United States, and the Government of Iran, to uphold the principles of Proportionality, Distinction, and Precaution, as established under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Zunaira Shams at zunaira.shams@spherestandards.org