Tehran: Fresh tensions in the Middle East escalated after Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on oil depots in Iran, triggering massive fires and heavy smoke that reportedly turned the skies over Tehran dark. Authorities and local media say the attacks have significantly worsened air quality, prompting officials to warn residents about potential health risks.
According to reports, the strikes on Sunday targeted multiple oil storage facilities in and around Tehran. The impact of the attacks caused huge plumes of smoke to rise into the sky, creating thick black clouds visible across the capital. Images and videos circulating from the city show the skyline covered in dark smoke, while oil residue has reportedly settled on roads, buildings, and vehicles.
City authorities have advised residents to wear masks when stepping outdoors as the air has become heavily polluted due to oil particles released during the explosions and subsequent fires. Officials fear prolonged exposure to the contaminated air could cause respiratory illnesses and other health complications.
Iran’s state media reported that several oil depots were struck in the attacks, including the Aghdaseh Oil Depot located in northeastern Tehran and the Shahran Oil Depot, one of the city’s key fuel storage facilities. An oil refinery was also reportedly targeted during the strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed carrying out the attacks, stating that the facilities were being used to support Iranian military operations. According to Israeli officials, the targeted depots were supplying fuel to military-linked operations, making them strategic targets in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that a total of four oil depots and one oil transfer center in Tehran were hit during the strikes. The attacks sparked large fires that burned for several hours, sending thick smoke into the atmosphere and leaving a layer of black soot across nearby neighborhoods.
Reports also indicated that four tanker drivers were killed during one of the strikes at a depot. Emergency teams and firefighters worked for hours to contain the flames as dense smoke continued to spread across the city and surrounding areas.
Health agencies in Iran have raised serious concerns about the environmental and medical impact of the attacks. The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned that the smoke and oil particles released into the air could pose significant health hazards. According to the agency, oil residue that rose into the atmosphere during the fires is gradually settling back to the ground, contaminating the air and surfaces.
Residents have reported symptoms such as skin irritation, breathing difficulties, and allergic reactions. Health officials have advised people in Tehran and nearby regions to remain indoors as much as possible. Those who must leave their homes have been strongly urged to wear protective masks.
Environmental experts say the burning oil has released hazardous particles that could remain suspended in the atmosphere for extended periods, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses. With Tehran’s metropolitan population estimated at nearly 10 million people, the situation poses a major public health concern.
Meanwhile, the conflict has not been limited to Iran alone. Israel has also carried out strikes in Lebanon, where reports indicate that at least 394 people have been killed in recent attacks. Among the casualties are 83 children, according to local authorities and humanitarian organizations.
The latest escalation comes despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024. Observers fear the renewed violence could further destabilize the region and intensify already high geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.
As fires continue to smolder at some of the targeted facilities and air quality remains dangerously poor, residents of Tehran are bracing for the environmental and humanitarian consequences of the strikes. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely while urging citizens to take precautions to protect their health.
