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........

© Truthout