Iran warns of environmental disaster after Tehran refinery strike

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the "war on Iran has caused extensive environmental damage, affecting the health of residents and the areas where they live," calling for these consequences to be addressed at the international level and for such actions to be considered within the framework of war crimes.

Araghchi added, in remarks reported by the Tasnim news agency, that "the targeting of storage tanks at the Tehran refinery and the resulting fires left the capital's skies dark for a day or more," noting the occurrence of what he described as "black rain," which exposed millions of residents to pollutants and toxic chemicals.

The foreign minister explained that "the environment is the 'silent victim of war,' as nature and populations suffer long-term harm from conflicts and hostilities."

Araghchi also pointed out that "the Gulf has suffered for years from environmental disasters, including damage from the US war on Iraq and oil well fires," warning of ongoing environmental degradation amid regional conflicts.

The Iranian minister, according to Tasnim, also stressed the need for the international community to take effective measures to prevent a recurrence of such damage, expressing hope that international conferences and seminars would help strengthen efforts to confront what he called "environmental genocide" in West Asia.