The World Health Organization has issued a warning about the dangers of black toxic rain following an attack on oil storage facilities in Iran, which may affect water sources and the health of Iranians currently facing severe water shortages.
On Tuesday, 10 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), warned that "black rain" or rain contaminated with pollution from Iran's oil depots, which were heavily set on fire in recent days, is causing serious concerns about air quality and may pose severe health risks.
Several fuel storage sites, including the Shahran oil depot in Tehran, were attacked by air strikes resulting in massive fires that produced thick black smoke rising into the atmosphere. This pollution led Iranian authorities to advise residents to remain indoors during the past weekend.
When rain falls through a polluted atmosphere, it mixes with contaminants and reaches the ground. Additionally, rain can become “acid rain” when it reacts with gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
"Black rain and the subsequent acid rain present a genuine danger to the local population," Lindmeier stated.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned about the hazards of highly acidic rain, describing it as “dangerously high” and capable of causing “skin burns and severe lung damage,” urging people to avoid leaving their homes both during and after rainfall.
Meanwhile, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Tuesday, “I am deeply concerned about the health and environmental impacts the population will face as a result of these oil depot fires, including contamination from acid rain.”
Currently, Iran is experiencing a severe water shortage crisis, with the population eagerly awaiting much-needed rain. However, the occurrence of acid or black rain now threatens and may damage the vital water sources Iranians depend on.
In addition, oil depots in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were also attacked, raising concerns about pollution spreading across the region. Lindmeier noted that this event could have “long-term effects” and described the situation as “dangerous.”
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Source:CNN