Tehran Oil Sites on Fire as Iran Exchanges Strikes with Israel and US
Thick black smoke continued to rise into the sky over Tehran on Sunday morning, with soot covering streets and vehicles, balconies filled with black gunk, and toxic air permeating lungs as the city woke following a night of devastating airstrikes targeting oil depots. Residents described the situation as "apocalyptic" in messages and voice notes shared with international media, painting a grim picture of a city plunged into environmental and humanitarian crisis.
Catastrophic Environmental Fallout
Four major oil depots and a petroleum logistics site in and around Tehran were struck during the attacks, with local authorities confirming six fatalities and twenty injuries at one location alone. Videos captured by citizen journalists showed massive flames illuminating the Tehran sky overnight, with smoke continuing to billow from storage facilities throughout Sunday.
As rain fell on the city of ten million people, authorities issued urgent warnings about toxic acid rain, with many residents reporting painful burning sensations in their throats and eyes upon waking. The environmental agency advised all Tehran residents to remain indoors, while the Red Crescent organization cautioned that toxic chemicals could lead to acid rain capable of damaging skin and lungs.
"The situation is so frightening it's hard to describe," said Negin, an activist and former political prisoner living in central-east Tehran who spoke under a pseudonym. "Smoke has covered the entire city. I have severe shortness of breath and burning in my eyes and throat, and many others feel the same. But people still have to go outside because they have no choice."
Health Warnings and Medical Concerns
Medical experts expressed grave concerns about the long-term health implications of the toxic fallout. Dr. Shahram Kordasti, a UK-based Iranian haemato-oncologist, warned that the toxic gases and fine particulate matter could irritate eyes and airways, exacerbate asthma and pulmonary conditions, worsen heart disease, and potentially increase cancer risks.
Authorities issued specific guidance to residents, including:
- Avoid turning on air conditioning systems
- Remain indoors immediately following rainfall
- Protect exposed food from contamination
- Wear masks when going outside becomes necessary
Negin reported that even basic protective equipment was becoming scarce: "Even masks are becoming difficult to find. This is a huge mistake. I ask those who have the ability, especially foreign media, to reflect on this situation. What are people supposed to do under these conditions?"
Economic Strain and Basic Goods Shortages
The attacks have exacerbated existing economic pressures within Tehran, with residents reporting skyrocketing prices and severe shortages of essential goods. Negin described purchasing an inhaler for 850,000 tomans (approximately £4.50), a significant expense for many Tehranis who work as daily laborers and have faced prolonged unemployment.
"Prices are skyrocketing," she explained. "Where are people supposed to get this money? Many people in Tehran are daily workers who haven't had work for a long time. Food is becoming extremely expensive, and many things are becoming scarce."
The fuel situation has become particularly dire, with many locations rationing gasoline to just five liters per person. "There was no gasoline anywhere," Negin reported. "The pressure inside the country is becoming enormous. There are shortages of basic goods. The situation is extremely painful."
Residents' Desperate Circumstances
Mehdi, a 42-year-old restaurant owner living in western Tehran who spoke under an alias, described fear reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic: "We are so scared to even clean the windows and balconies. There's soot everywhere and we don't even want to touch it with gloves. My eyes are burning and I look outside and see people without masks are going on with their daily lives."
He expressed skepticism about receiving assistance from either domestic or foreign sources: "Trust me, we are on our own. This regime doesn't care about us so why would I make a plea to a foreign power to care for us? We [Tehranis] are here to help each other even if this government doesn't."
Failed Escape Attempts and Urban Desolation
Mehnaz, a 39-year-old resident who attempted to flee southern Tehran during the attacks, described her harrowing experience: "Tehran is burning. And smoke has filled the streets. It's impossible to drive out of the city right now and even with the windows closed, heavy smoke is making its way inside."
Internet shutdowns imposed by authorities left residents without crucial information about which areas had been hit and where it might be safe to travel. Mehnaz eventually managed to leave the city on Sunday morning, encountering long queues for rationed gasoline as she departed.
Her observations captured the surreal quality of the devastation: "The Rey depot, you won't believe, was still on fire and it's insane because in the night it looked like day and in the day, it was so dark, it looked like a new moon night. So, so dark, just like our futures."
She noted the absence of birds from the sky, interpreting it as an ominous sign: "When the birds abandon you, you are truly on your own. We have so many cats in the city. If these attacks continue, whoever rules here next, they will rule over a democracy of cats."
The attacks have created what residents describe as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Tehran, with environmental contamination, economic collapse, and psychological trauma converging to create what many characterize as an existential threat to the city's civilian population.
