In war-torn Iran, air pollution from burning oil depots and bombed buildings unleashes invisible health threats

The damage from military attacks on cities can fill the air with pollutants that harm the lungs and stress the heart.

By: Armin Sorooshian, University of Arizona, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 16, 2026

Words: 1,145

Last Updated: 4 months, 2 weeks ago

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By Armin Sorooshian, University of Arizona

The waves of U.S. and Israeli bomb strikes in Tehran and Beirut, and Iran’s missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries in response, are damaging more than buildings – they are sending toxic debris into the air in cities that are home to millions of people.

Military strikes have hit Iran’s missile stockpiles, nuclear facilities and oil refineries. When a strike set fire to an oil …

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