Strike destroys Pasteur Institute of Iran — storied Tehran scientific research facility, founded 1920

The Iranian government confirmed on April 2, 2026 (D34) that a strike had destroyed the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a storied scientific research facility in Tehran, per the New York Times (10:07 a.m. ET / 15:07 UTC). About the Pasteur Institute of Iran: - Founded: 1920, under French Pasteur Institute partnership - Location: Central Tehran (Pasteur Avenue / Ferdowsi area) - Mission: Biomedical research, vaccine production, pharmaceutical development, public health surveillance - Status: Iran's most prestigious scientific research institution; WHO-affiliated - International recognition: one of the oldest and most internationally connected scientific institutions in the Middle East Context: Trump in his Wednesday night address threatened to hit Iran's 'electrical plants' and broader infrastructure unless a deal is struck. The Pasteur Institute is not a military target by any standard definition — it is a public health and biomedical research facility. Its destruction is likely to generate significant international condemnation on humanitarian and scientific grounds. Potential justification (speculative, not confirmed): Some Iranian research facilities have dual-use potential (biodefense, biological warfare research). The targeting of the Pasteur Institute may be justified by the US/Israel as eliminating IRGC-affiliated research programs. This has not been officially stated. Note: Confirmed by Iranian government; IDF/CENTCOM has not officially commented. Source: New York Times April 2 live blog (10:07 a.m. ET = 15:07 UTC, April 2, 2026).