Tehran hit by 'black rain' after US-Israeli strikes on oil depots

The recent US-Israeli strikes on oil refineries and desalination plants near Tehran have caused a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis marked by toxic "black rain"—rain darkened by pollutants from the fires. Satellite images confirmed smoke drifting over Tehran, prompting WHO warnings about acute health risks such as respiratory distress and chemical burns, alongside long-term dangers including cancer and neurological disorders. The strikes have released a complex mix of hazardous pollutants like carbon monoxide, soot, sulfur, nitrogen oxides, and metallic compounds, creating an unprecedented chemical smog that blocks sunlight and contaminates air, water, and soil, with lasting effects on human health and fragile ecosystems. In addition to air pollution, the targeting of desalination infrastructure has exacerbated Iran’s critical water insecurity. The attacks have cut water supplies to numerous villages and affected neighboring Bahrain, compounding the impact of a five-year drought that has severely depleted natural water sources. Iran’s efforts to expand desalination are hindered by sanctions, high costs, and infrastructure