Tehran faces toxic smoke and oil rain after Israeli strikes on fuel depots
The attacks on fuel infrastructure sparked large fires and dense smoke, worsening air pollution and contaminating rainfall in the city
Massive fires and thick black smoke hung over parts of Tehran after Israeli airstrikes targeted major fuel depots, triggering environmental and health hazards across the Iranian capital.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen confirmed strikes on three oil depots, saying they "are used by Iran's military," and warned that "oil refineries and power stations could be targeted in the coming days," reports Bloomberg.
The strikes come amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike on 28 Feb. Iranian state media reported that the country's "next supreme leader... has been chosen and will be announced soon."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The attacks on fuel infrastructure sparked large fires and dense smoke, worsening air pollution and contaminating rainfall in the city.
A CNN reporter in Tehran said it was "raining oil" on Sunday morning as residue from burning fuel depots mixed with precipitation.
Iran's Red Crescent Society issued an official statement "warning residents not to leave their homes" due to the "risk of lung and skin disease from acid rain" and toxic vapors produced by the burning fuel and chemicals.
Residents described a climate of fear as airstrikes continued and internet service was intermittently cut.
"It's very scary. Day and night, eating and sleeping — it's all over the place," an unnamed resident of western Tehran said, describing life during the attacks and communication outages.
The humanitarian toll from the conflict has continued to rise. Since the fighting began on 28 Feb, 1,205 civilians in Iran have been killed, including 194 children, according to figures cited by Iranian officials.
The conflict has also spread beyond direct strikes between the two countries.
Iran has reportedly attacked infrastructure in Gulf Arab states, including a desalination plant in Bahrain, raising concerns about a broader regional confrontation.
The US has called for Iran to accept an unconditional surrender, a demand Tehran has rejected, saying the US was the first to strike Iranian infrastructure.
Despite the destruction, some residents in the capital said basic services were still functioning.
"God knows what will happen to us. We still have water, electricity and food," an unnamed resident in central Tehran said.
