The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been in Iran since 1977. We work in partnership with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and other Iranian organizations in the fields of helping people reestablish contact with their relatives, physical rehabilitation and health care services, promoting international humanitarian law, and the consequences of Iran-Iran conflict.

Last updated: 9 February 2026

What is the ICRC doing in Iran?

Present in Iran since 1977, the ICRC is a neutral, impartial, and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate. It maintained its presence during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War and expanded its activities in the country since 2001.

Today, we work with the authorities in Iran to address the consequences of the Iran-Iraq War, particularly the issue of missing persons. We also contribute to the humanitarian response for Afghan migrants, including health services, physical rehabilitation, and restoring family links. We are working closely with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and other national partners.

We also exchange views on regional humanitarian concerns and global humanitarian policies and developments with Iranian counterparts and promote international humanitarian law (IHL) and humanitarian principles.

What does the ICRC do in times of internal disturbances?

The ICRC takes action to assist the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in domestic law.

In situation below the threshold of armed conflict, the ICRC acts based on its right of humanitarian initiative under the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. ICRC role is then the result of a coordinated approach with the authorities and with the National Society.

Can you help me search for my missing relative?

The Iranian Red Crescent Society is the main provider in the country to help families restore contact with their loved ones. The Restoring Family Links service is provided in all provinces of Iran. The ICRC team in Tehran works jointly with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and provides its technical support in addressing these cases.

If you are inside Iran, you can contact the Iranian Red Crescent Society through the following means:

By phone: +2185632182 (Iranian Red Crescent Society’s Training Unit)

+2185632169

By email: int_tracingrfl@rcs.ir

OR by visiting the nearest Iranian Red Crescent Society branch to where you live.

The address of their office in Tehran is:
Iranian Red Crescent Society
Under Secretary General (USG)
International Affairs & IHL
No. 2654 Valiasr Ave.
Building of Peace, Tehran, Iran

If you have lost contact due to lack of connectivity, we recommend that you first wait a few days and approach the Iranian Red Crescent Society, once the telecommunications are restored, if you still cannot reach your loved one.

If you are outside Iran, please contact the nearest Red Cross or Red Crescent office in the country where you currently live. You can find more contact information in this directory.

We acknowledge the distress of having a missing relative, and we hope this painful and distressing period is over soon for you and your family.

Does the ICRC visit detainees in Iran?

We currently have no humanitarian activity in prisons in favor of persons deprived of liberty in Iran.

Is the ICRC preparing to respond if a new war takes place?

We hope that diplomacy can play a role in preventing any escalation. In Iran and all other context where we operate, we remain ready to intervene in helping populations affected by conflict. In case of escalation, the ICRC stands ready to consider increasing its operational response to needs, in coordination with the authorities. The ICRC will also coordinate with its main partner, the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

What did the ICRC do to support its partner in Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), in relation to the recent Israel-Iran war June 2025?

The IRCS’s response has been supported by the ICRC. The ICRC delivered almost 170 tons of humanitarian supplies to replenish stocks depleted during the conflict. The supplies are sufficient to enable setting up five pre-hospital clinics to treat nearly 30,000 wounded individuals or meet the needs of 250,000 people for one month.

Does the ICRC have a religious affiliation?

No. We operate without religious affiliation. We are a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization and we work with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.

Under international humanitarian law, all those caught up in war, no matter their affiliation, should be protected.

This doesn’t preclude us from speaking to religious groups, but this engagement is purely practical: we always speak to all parties involved, so we can get safe access to people who need support.

We strive to treat you with respect and dignity

It is forbidden for ICRC employees and our partners to ask for money or any type of favours in exchange for aid. We encourage all to report in good faith suspicion of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other suspected misconduct.
Everyone who works with the ICRC (our staff, partners, and suppliers) must always treat you with respect and dignity.

You have the right to report cases of inappropriate behaviour or illegal actions on the part of the ICRC. To do so, you can email us at code_of_conduct@icrc.org. You can also report it directly in the Integrity Line (available in English, French and Spanish).

The information you provide will remain confidential.

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