Iran war risks long-term toxic legacy for people and nature
Iran War Risks Long-Term Toxic Legacy for People and Nature
Fighting in the Middle East, including oil refinery fires and shipwrecks, poses ongoing threats to the region’s ecosystems and human health. Concerns are growing among specialists about how attacks on energy infrastructure and military targets could leave harmful chemical residues that persist for years. The US-Israeli conflict has already seen over 300 potential environmental incidents reported by UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), ranging from missile base strikes to oil tanker assaults in the Persian Gulf.
However, experts argue that these numbers may only reflect a small portion of the damage. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said CEOBS director Doug Weir. “The US claims to have hit 5,000 sites, so we’re only beginning to understand the scale of the problem.” The United Nations has also sounded alarms, noting that targeting oil facilities could lead to “serious environmental consequences across the region, with immediate impacts on water, air, and food security.”
Black Rain and Air Quality Concerns
A recent example of these risks emerged when “black rain” — a mixture of oil and moisture — blanketed Tehran after Israeli strikes on multiple oil installations. Smoke from the burning facilities drifted over the city, which houses nearly 10 million people, prompting the Red Crescent Society to advise residents to stay indoors. Some locals reported breathing difficulties and headaches, as noted by Zongbo Shi, a professor at the University of Birmingham, who explained that the smoke likely contained fine particulates, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.
“Such particles can deeply penetrate lungs and are linked to higher chances of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, especially for infants, elderly individuals, and those with existing health issues,” Shi added.
Experts warn that the environmental fallout extends beyond immediate air pollution. Contaminated military and energy sites can release toxic substances that linger in soil, water, and air for extended periods. Oil facilities hit in Iran and other Gulf nations may discharge harmful plumes that reach nearby areas, including roads, farmland, and residential zones. Similarly, attacks on missile bases can spread fuels, heavy metals, PFAS, and explosives into the environment.
Persistent Pollutants and Challenges in Assessment
Without direct on-site testing, evaluating the full extent of contamination remains challenging. Weir emphasized, “There’s so little transparency or certainty about what’s in these sites that have been struck. We know they may hold military materials, some toxic like propellants and missile fuels, but we lack detailed data on what’s been damaged.”
His team relies on satellite imagery, radar maps, social media updates, and news reports to monitor risks remotely. The same applies to the threat of oil spills, which has intensified with US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s navy and Tehran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway is critical for global oil transport, and spills could harm reefs, seagrass beds, and marine life, including green turtles, pearl oysters, and the endangered dugong.
The US reported on Wednesday that it had damaged more than 60 Iranian ships during the conflict. Such actions not only disrupt maritime traffic but also elevate the risk of pollutants spreading into coastal environments, where fishing communities depend on seafood for sustenance.
