The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), as two members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, have a long-standing partnership aimed at strengthening humanitarian action in Iran. Their cooperation is grounded in the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, mutual trust, and recognition of their complementary roles.

In 2024, the two organizations signed a five-year Partnership Framework Agreement covering the period from 2024 to 2029. The agreement provides the overall framework for cooperation in areas including international humanitarian law, health and physical rehabilitation, restoring family links, the dignified management of human remains, emergency preparedness, humanitarian communication, risk awareness and safer behavior, Movement coordination, and logistics.

A growing focus of the partnership is to strengthen preparedness and response capacities. The ICRC and the IRCS are working to expand cooperation in areas such as pre-hospital care, preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, the safety of first responders, and the protection of health-care services during emergencies. The ICRC also facilitates exchanges of knowledge and experience between the IRCS and other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The two organizations also work with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to support the delivery of services to vulnerable communities in Khorasan Razavi and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. These services include primary health care, physical rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support, health education, and first aid.

Through these different areas of cooperation, the two organizations seek to strengthen humanitarian capacities and improve their ability to respond effectively to the needs of people and communities affected by crises.

To strengthen leadership capacities and support the quality and accountability of humanitarian services, the ICRC organizes workshops and training sessions for IRCS staff at different levels. It also develops and disseminates publications and communication materials and organizes joint exhibitions with the IRCS to promote the principles and values of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and raises public awareness of the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict.

In response to the recent escalation of hostilities in the country and in line with the ICRC mandate and role in armed conflict, the ICRC activated its crisis response mechanism, deployed specialist support to its Tehran delegation, engaged with national authorities, and provided humanitarian material support to strengthen the IRCS’s operational capacity.