A "black Rain" Has Fallen On Iran

• 11.03.2026, 11:42

The WHO has warned of a new danger.

Following Israeli and US strikes on oil facilities in Iran, reports of oil rain are being recorded in the country. It poses a major health hazard.

The UN health agency, which has an office in Iran, is sounding the alarm over the "black rain" and toxic compounds in the air. They could cause respiratory problems, writes Reuters.

"Black rain and the accompanying acid rain do pose a risk to the population, mainly to the respiratory system," World Health Organization spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a briefing in Geneva, adding that Iranian authorities had advised people to stay indoors.

He said such advice to civilians was a good idea because oil storage facilities and refineries are now under threat of strikes in Iran. Attacks on them have already resulted in the massive release of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides and nitrogen compounds into the air.

Scientists said the "black rain" was the result of weather conditions that produced precipitation that mixed with particles in the air. Inhalation or contact with smoke or particles can cause headaches, skin and eye irritation, and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to some compounds increases the risk of developing certain cancers.

Akshay Deoras, a researcher at the University of Reading, said "black rain" has been a revelation to people. They can only protect themselves from the harmful effects by staying indoors or wearing masks when going outside.

Deoras added that data on air quality in the area is scarce, but emphasized that weather forecasts call for dry weather for the rest of the week.

Air quality is also likely to improve over time.

"The risk of exposure is reduced provided there are no new outbreaks - if there are, it will be problematic," the scientist said.

On March 9, the Sharan refinery in Tehran came under attack, and a black cloud of smoke was seen over the city and burning streams of oil flowed through the city.