Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil sites could worsen air quality in western Pakistan: PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that pollution emitted from the recent airstrike by Israel on Iranian oil depots in and around Tehran could affect air quality in western Pakistan if prevailing winds carry pollutants across the border.

In a statement, the Met Office said atmospheric currents originating from Iran may transport pollutants into neighbouring regions of Pakistan. “Due to the recent situation in Iran, the winds may carry pollutants and deteriorate air quality in the western parts of the country,” the PMD said.

The warning follows Israel’s airstrikes on Tehran’s refineries and fuel depots on March 7, which reportedly filled parts of the Iranian capital with heavy smoke and toxic emissions. Thick black smoke continued to rise from oil facilities, while reports from the city described black, oily rain falling on Sunday as pollution spread across the area.

At the Shahran oil depot in Tehran, CNN correspondent Frederik Pleitgen described the scene as “apocalyptic”, saying that breathing the air felt toxic.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society also warned of severe health risks, saying the strikes had released significant quantities of toxic hydrocarbons, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, which could cause chemical burns and lung damage.

Officials from Iran’s National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company said further strikes by the United States and Israel targeted five oil facilities in and around Tehran.