Black Rain Falls Over Tehran After Israeli Strikes On Iranian Oil Facilities

Tehran was blanketed in black, oil-saturated rain following Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities late Saturday night, raising alarm over environmental and public health impacts.

CNN correspondent Fabrizio Plaitgen reported from the scene, showing vehicles and streets coated in a thick, black residue. “I want to show you something,” Plaitgen said. “This is a white car … the rain is actually apparently saturated with oil. You can see on my finger that it's completely blackened, and that's something that's been coming down for the better part of this morning.”

Residents described a strong smell of crude oil in the air as the toxic precipitation fell. Experts warn that exposure to oil-contaminated rain can have serious health consequences and may contaminate soil, water, and local infrastructure.

The strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure come amid rising tensions in the Middle East, and observers are already warning that the attacks could trigger increased oil prices and supply chain disruptions.