Truthout is a vital news source and a living history of political struggle. If you think our work is valuable, support us with a donation of any size.

In the wake of infernos unleashed across portions of Tehran the night before, the people of Iran’s capital woke up Sunday to the hideous sight of ominous gray clouds above, choking-levels of smoke, and black raindrops full of toxic oil falling across the city.

Critics described “scenes of Armageddon” and characterized the bombings and the destruction they triggered as the latest crimes committed by the U.S. and Israel since they launched their unprovoked and illegal assault on the Middle East nation last week.

Iranian officials urged residents to stay in doors to avoid the health impacts of the air quality following Israel’s intentional bombing of several oil storage and processing facilities in the city on Saturday.

“On top of everything else, Israel and the U.S. have unleashed an environmental disaster in Tehran,” said Assal Rad, a fellow at the Arab Center in Washington, D.C. “How many ways can they show you they have no regard for human life?”

Though it is day, the sun cannot be seen in Tehran today because of all the smoke following the US and Israel bombing Tehran's oil refineries. People on the ground describe it as armageddon.History will not forgive Reza Pahlavi, Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, and all other… pic.twitter.com/Sy3LhtaDEK— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) March 8, 2026

Though it is day, the sun cannot be seen in Tehran today because of all the smoke following the US and Israel bombing Tehran's oil refineries. People on the ground describe it as armageddon.History will not forgive Reza Pahlavi, Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, and all other… pic.twitter.com/Sy3LhtaDEK

Iran’s Red Crescent Society warned that the toxic rainfall in Tehran, home to approximately 10 million people, could be “highly dangerous and acidic” and issued exposure guidelines for residents.

The Border Between Gaza and Egypt Had Just Reopened. Then War With Iran Started.

Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foriegn Ministry, condemned the attacks and resulting damage in stark terms.

“The U.S.-Israeli criminal war against the Iranian nation has entered a dangerous new phase with deliberate strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure,” said Bagaei in an online statement. “These attacks on fuel storage facilities amount to nothing less than intentional chemical warfare against the Iranian citizens.”

“By targeting fuel depots, the aggressors are releasing hazardous materials and toxic substances into the air, poisoning civilians, devastating the environment, and endangering lives on a massive scale,” he continued. “The consequences of this environmental and humanitarian catastrophe will not be confined within Iran’s borders. These strikes constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide — all at once.”

In a Sunday morning video, CNN correspondent Frederik Pleitgen showed the view from central Tehran, including the black water gathering on every surface:

It is raining oil in Tehran this morning after major airstrikes on oil facilities in the South and West of the Iranian capital. @CNN @cnni pic.twitter.com/2FBD9EnO9p— Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) March 8, 2026

It is raining oil in Tehran this morning after major airstrikes on oil facilities in the South and West of the Iranian capital. @CNN @cnni pic.twitter.com/2FBD9EnO9p

Pleitgen also traveled to the Shahran oil depot, among the facilities bombed Saturday, where dark gray smoke continued to billow into the air and he described the amount of damage as “immense”:

Managed to film at the Shahran oil depot in Western Tehran that was targeted by airstrikes last night. The oil still seems to be burning. We saw flames coming from some of the destroyed oil storage tanks. Also destroyed tanker trucks outside the gate. Sorry for audio issues, was… pic.twitter.com/DYrsJbaY3t— Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) March 8, 2026

Managed to film at the Shahran oil depot in Western Tehran that was targeted by airstrikes last night. The oil still seems to be burning. We saw flames coming from some of the destroyed oil storage tanks. Also destroyed tanker trucks outside the gate. Sorry for audio issues, was… pic.twitter.com/DYrsJbaY3t

“Though it is day, the sun cannot be seen in Tehran today because of all the smoke following the U.S. and Israel bombing Tehran’s oil refineries,” said Trita Parsi, executive vice president for the Quincy Institute, a U.S.-based foreign policy think tank. “People on the ground describe it as armageddon.”Parsi, who is of Iranian descent, also took aim at members of the Iranian diaspora who for weeks and months have pushed for the U.S. and Israeli governments to attack their own country.

“History,” he said, “will not forgive Reza Pahlavi, Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, and all other ‘leaders’ who tricked Iranians into thinking this war would set them free.”

Media that fights fascism

Truthout is funded almost entirely by readers — that’s why we can speak truth to power and cut against the mainstream narrative. But independent journalists at Truthout face mounting political repression under Trump.

We rely on your support to survive McCarthyist censorship. Please make a tax-deductible one-time or monthly donation.

Share via Facebook Facebook Circle Icon

Share via Bluesky Bluesky Circle Icon.cls-1{stroke-width:0px;}

Share via Flipboard Flipboard Circle Icon

Share via Mail Mail Circle Icon

More .st0{fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:0.5;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round;} Share via Threads .cls-1{stroke-width:0px;} Share via Reddit Reddit Cirlce Icon Share via Pocket Pocket Circle Icon Share via Linkedin LinkedIn Circle Icon.cls-1{stroke:#000;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Share via Twitter Twitter Circle Icon

Share via Threads .cls-1{stroke-width:0px;}

Share via Reddit Reddit Cirlce Icon

Share via Pocket Pocket Circle Icon

Share via Linkedin LinkedIn Circle Icon.cls-1{stroke:#000;stroke-miterlimit:10;}

Share via Twitter Twitter Circle Icon

Jon Queally is senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams.

© Truthout