Toxic Black Rain Hits Iran After Oil Facility Attacks

Residents report burning eyes and breathing issues as soot, chemicals fall from the sky.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:05pm

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Clouds of toxic smoke unleashed into the atmosphere by recent U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities have resulted in dangerous "black rain" falling on Tehran and surrounding areas. Residents have complained of burning eyes and difficulty breathing from the dark, oily precipitation that contains hazardous chemicals and soot. Health officials have warned of serious short-term and long-term health risks from exposure to the polluted rainfall.

Why it matters

The black rain incident highlights the environmental and public health dangers of attacks on oil infrastructure, which can release toxic compounds into the atmosphere that then fall back to Earth. This raises concerns about the potential for further strikes to cause ongoing harm to Iranian citizens, as well as the broader regional impact of the conflict.

The details

The black rain is the result of soot, ash, and toxic chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) combining with water droplets in the atmosphere after the oil facility fires. Microscopic soot particles can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing breathing and heart problems. Exposure to PAHs also increases cancer risk. Health officials have advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks due to the highly acidic nature of the rainfall, which can burn skin and damage the lungs.

  • The black rain began falling in Tehran and surrounding areas last week after the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
  • Plumes of dark smoke have been seen across the region over the past 2 weeks as Iran retaliates against the airstrikes.

The players

Tehran

The capital city of Iran where residents have reported issues from the toxic black rain.

U.S.-Israeli airstrikes

Recent attacks on Iranian oil facilities that have released toxic smoke and chemicals into the atmosphere.

World Health Organization

The international health agency that has advised Iranians on the health risks of the black rain.

Peter Adams

A civil and environmental engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University who provided expert analysis on the composition and effects of the black rain.

V. Faye McNeill

A chemical engineering professor at Columbia University who specializes in atmospheric chemistry and warned of the likely acute health impacts from the black rain event.

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What they’re saying

“We can definitely expect acute health effects from an event like this.”

— V. Faye McNeill, Chemical engineering professor (medpagetoday.com)

“But we don't know what's going to happen with future strikes and whether other tanks will be struck or whether oil fields will be struck. I'm less concerned about longer-term or regional stuff, but it's a real mess for the people in the immediate vicinity.”

— Peter Adams, Civil and environmental engineering professor (medpagetoday.com)

What’s next

Health and environmental officials in Iran continue to monitor the situation and advise residents on precautions to take in response to the toxic black rain.

The takeaway

The black rain incident underscores the serious public health and environmental risks posed by attacks on oil infrastructure, which can release hazardous compounds that linger in the atmosphere and contaminate water sources, posing both immediate and long-term threats to local populations.