Tehran Reels from Health Crisis After US-Israeli Strikes on Oil Infrastructure
Blackened soot-covered buildings, cars, and roads, plumes of thick, black, and oily precipitation, and toxic air are the grim realities facing residents of Tehran and surrounding areas following recent US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil infrastructure. The attacks have released hazardous clouds of toxic smoke, resulting in what is being termed “black rain” and prompting health warnings from international bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Strikes and Initial Impact
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed striking fuel storage facilities in Tehran, alleging they were used by Iran’s military. Following the strikes, residents of Tehran reported difficulties breathing and experiencing burning eyes as oily, pitch-black precipitation fell. The strikes occurred as US President Donald Trump warned of a strong response against Iran.
Since the commencement of US-Israeli strikes on February 28, at least four strikes have been confirmed on Iran’s oil facilities around Tehran, according to BBC Verify. Tehran, with a population of nearly 10 million, and its surrounding areas have been significantly impacted. Residents described smog so thick it “blocked out the sun” and a strong smell of burning.
‘Black Rain’ and Health Risks
The phenomenon known as “black rain” occurs when rainfall contaminates with a large number of pollutants, turning dark or black. Unlike typical rainfall which washes pollutants from the air, ‘black rain’ results from high levels of soot, ash, and toxic chemicals combining with water droplets. Dr. Akshay Deoras, a research scientist at the University of Reading, described the situation in Iran as “definitely unprecedented” due to the scale of pollutants released from the strikes.
The burning oil led to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxic gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, according to Peter Adams, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
Reports from Tehran Residents
Leila, a 27-year-old teacher in Tehran, told TIME that the air was “unbreathable” after the strikes. She reported headaches, sore and raw lips, burning eyes, and a sensation akin to tear gas. Another Tehran resident in her 20s told BBC Persian she could not see the sun due to the heavy smoke. Negin, speaking to The Guardian, described severe shortness of breath and burning in her eyes and throat, noting that many others were experiencing similar symptoms.
Health Warnings and Potential Long-Term Effects
The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned that the rainfall could be “highly dangerous and acidic,” potentially causing chemical burns and serious lung damage. Experts warn that microscopic soot particles can embed themselves deep within the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to breathing and heart problems, and potentially premature death. Exposure to PAHs may also increase the risk of cancer, asthma, and other pulmonary conditions.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a statement highlighting the risk of contamination to food, water, and air, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Anna Hansell, a professor of environmental epidemiology at the University of Leicester, noted that the intense exposure to particulates could have both immediate and long-lasting effects on respiratory systems and increase cancer risk.
The highest price of war is always paid by the people.