Acidic Black Rain Falls on Tehran After Israeli Strikes on Oil Depots

Compiled by the editorial desk with reference to reports from Time, CNN, the Guardian, and AirQualityNews, along with statements from the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Tehran residents woke to a startling phenomenon over the weekend: rain that appeared black and carried the smell of oil. The precipitation, described by local officials as highly acidic, followed Israeli airstrikes that destroyed four oil depots and a gasoline logistics site near the capital, igniting massive fires that sent thick columns of smoke into the sky.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society issued a warning that the rain could be "highly dangerous and acidic," potentially causing chemical burns on skin and serious lung damage. According to AirQualityNews, the precipitation's pH level could be as low as 4.0, comparable to apple cider vinegar, a level lethal to most fish species and harmful to plant life over time.

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Residents reported difficulty breathing, headaches, skin irritation, and eye and throat discomfort. One Tehran resident, Leila, described the scene to Time magazine: "Something like a black monster has swallowed the sky over Tehran. It's as if all the cars and the street pavement have been coated in black paint."

CNN's senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen, stationed in Tehran, shared video evidence of the aftermath. "You can see that the rain water is actually black, also saturated, it appears, with oil," he said, wiping the ground with his shoe to show the accumulation. "That's what's coming down this morning, this sort of oil-filled rain."

The toxic deluge is the latest in a series of environmental crises for the region, which has been grappling with severe drought for six years and frequent dust storms. The airstrikes themselves killed six people and ignited fires that burned for hours, sending plumes of smoke visible for miles.

Health and Environmental Concerns

The Red Crescent's warning highlights the immediate health risks, but experts also point to long-term ecological consequences. The rain is likely contaminated with hydrocarbons, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, according to AirQualityNews. These compounds can persist in soil and water, affecting agriculture and drinking supplies.

An Iranian journalist, speaking anonymously to the Guardian, described the situation as "apocalyptic" and noted that even masks are becoming hard to find. "I ask those who have the ability, especially foreign media, to reflect on this situation. What are people supposed to do under these conditions? This is truly a crime against humanity," the journalist said.

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The event underscores the broader humanitarian and environmental toll of the ongoing conflict, as civilians face not only the immediate dangers of airstrikes but also secondary effects like toxic rain. The Red Crescent has advised residents to stay indoors and avoid contact with the rain, but with limited access to protective gear, many remain exposed.