Tehran is currently facing a severe environmental crisis as satellite images reveal toxic fires caused by Israeli bombings on oil depots. The attacks, which occurred on March 7, 2026, have resulted in clouds of smoke blanketing the city, releasing pollutants such as soot, oil particles, and sulphur dioxide.
Residents have reported experiencing headaches, eye and skin irritation, and difficulty breathing due to the pollution. The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that the attack risks contaminating food, water, and air, posing severe health impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
Iran has condemned the attacks as ‘ecocide’, highlighting the significant environmental destruction inflicted upon the region. Notably, the Aqdasieh oil depot was still visibly burning ten days after the strike, raising concerns about the long-term effects of the smoke and toxic emissions.
Rescue workers have been actively involved in saving lives following a missile strike in south Tehran, as the situation continues to unfold. The United Nations Environment Programme has also issued warnings regarding the potential long-term health risks associated with exposure to the smoke and emissions from the burning oil.
Some residents, disillusioned by the regime, view the attacks as a turning point, while others express frustration over the chronic air pollution that has plagued Tehran for years. Reports indicate that the symptoms experienced by residents align with those typically associated with oil fires, which produce harmful sulphur and nitrogen compounds.
Moreover, the smoke from the burning oil poses a risk of contaminating food, water, and air supplies, raising alarms about the broader implications for public health. Pollution from uncontrolled fires may also enter the soil and water, leaching into groundwater and being absorbed by crops, further threatening food safety.
As the situation develops, observers remain concerned about the immediate and long-term health impacts on the population. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the response efforts being undertaken.
