Israeli air strikes targeted Gandhi Hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday, according to Reuters, as fighting between Israel and Iran intensified for a second consecutive day.

The strikes came amid a joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, launched following earlier attacks that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian state-linked media described the latest assault as part of what they termed “Zionist-American air strikes”.

News agencies including ISNA, Fars and Mizan carried footage from inside Gandhi Hospital showing debris scattered across corridors and near wheelchairs, suggesting structural damage within the facility. Two witnesses in the Gandhi Street area told Reuters that the hospital suffered significant impact and that patients were being evacuated as a precaution.

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Explosions were reported across parts of Tehran into Sunday night, with Israel stating it was directing attacks toward the central districts of the Iranian capital. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel, US military bases in the Gulf region, as well as sites near the Saudi capital and Dubai, marking a sharp regional escalation.

The strike on Gandhi Hospital has drawn particular attention internationally due to its name.

Is Tehran's Gandhi hospital connected to India?

Gandhi Hospital in Tehran derives its name from the street on which it is located, Gandhi Street, which is itself named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi.

Tehran’s Gandhi Street was named as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting the global recognition of his philosophy of non-violence, civil resistance and moral leadership. Like many countries across Asia and beyond, Iran commemorated Gandhi as a historic figure who influenced anti-colonial movements and peaceful political struggle worldwide. Naming a street after him was a diplomatic and symbolic gesture, highlighting respect for his legacy and the broader historical ties between Iran and India.

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When the Gandhi Hospital complex was later established in the late 2000s, it adopted the name “Gandhi” simply because of its location on Gandhi Street-a common naming practice in Iran and elsewhere, where institutions often take the name of the road or neighbourhood they are situated in.

There is no direct administrative or governmental connection between the hospital and India. The association with Gandhi comes through the street name, which honours the Indian leader’s global stature rather than indicating any institutional partnership.