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Updated 11 March 2026 - Israeli military denies targeting specific sites after BBC Verify inquiry.
Smoke blankets Tehran following oil depot attacks
Satellite imagery captured on Monday shows thick smoke plumes drifting across Iran's capital after multiple oil depots and refineries came under attack. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the strikes could pose severe health risks to residents.
Strikes confirmed at four oil sites near capital
Since coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes began on 28 February, at least four oil facilities around Tehran have been hit. Residents report a thick smog obscuring the sun and a persistent burning odor in parts of the city. Experts describe the scale of pollutants released as potentially "unprecedented."
Nearly 10 million people live in Tehran, with millions more in surrounding areas. The pollution appears concentrated near the damaged oil sites.
Satellite evidence and on-ground reports
Images taken on 9 March and analyzed by BBC Verify show two major oil facilities in Tehran still burning after reported overnight airstrikes on Saturday. Smoke is visible from the Shahran depot in the northwest and the Tehran oil refinery in the southeast.
Verified video footage from Saturday night shows massive fireballs lighting up the sky at the refinery. However, clouds and smoke plumes have made it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage at the weekend's strike sites.
Photographs taken at Shahran on Sunday morning depict emergency workers inspecting charred oil tankers, blackened buildings, and ongoing fires.
Military statements and conflicting claims
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged striking "fuel depots" near Tehran in a 7 March post on X, sharing an image of damage at the Tehran oil refinery. BBC Verify provided coordinates for this site and three others to both the IDF and the Pentagon for comment.
The Pentagon did not respond. The IDF later stated, "There were no IDF strikes at those sites," and BBC Verify has requested further clarification.
Health risks from oil fire pollutants
Oil refinery strikes can release a dangerous mix of chemicals. Incomplete combustion-when oxygen is insufficient-produces carbon monoxide and soot instead of carbon dioxide and water. Fires can also emit sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which may form acids in rainwater, along with harmful hydrocarbons, metallic compounds, and oil droplets.
"I can't see the Sun. There is a horrible smoke. It's still there. I'm very tired."
A Tehran resident in her 20s, speaking to BBC Persian on Saturday
Scientists warn of unprecedented pollution
Assessing air pollution levels is challenging due to the lack of ground-based measurements and the complexity of interpreting satellite data amid winds and clouds. However, scientists agree the chemical mix released is both extreme and harmful, unlike typical urban smog in cities like Beijing or Delhi.
"What has happened [in Iran] is definitely unprecedented because it's all coming in from missiles dropping and airstrikes on oil refineries."
Dr. Akshay Deoras, research scientist at the University of Reading
Dr. Deoras noted that while many conflicts generate high levels of dust and particle pollution, the "basket" of chemicals in this case is "definitely unusual."
Professor Eloise Marais of University College London compared the situation to "a very, very severe industrial accident where an entire refinery explodes."
Black rain and long-term health concerns
Tehran residents reported "black rain" on Sunday-a rare phenomenon where rainfall is contaminated with high levels of soot and pollutants, turning it dark.
"The raindrops acted like little sponges or magnets, collecting whatever was in the air as they fell."
Dr. Akshay Deoras
Some larger particles may have settled without rain. The WHO has expressed "great concerns" about the health impacts, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
"Damage to oil facilities risks contaminating food, water, and air-hazards that can have severe health impacts."
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Professor Anna Hansell of the University of Leicester warned that intense exposure to particulates can have immediate effects on the lungs and long-term risks, including increased cancer rates.
Doug Weir of the Conflict and Environment Observatory highlighted the unusual nature of the attacks occurring in such a densely populated area, noting that oil field strikes typically happen in rural locations.
Weather may help disperse pollutants
BBC Weather forecasts rain on Tuesday and from Thursday onward, along with stronger winds, which could help disperse and wash away pollutants. However, pollutants may still enter waterways or resuspend in the air if they settle and the ground dries.
