A major oil storage facility near Tehran, the Iranian capital, exploded after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, reportedly spreading toxic gas over Tehran and bringing down highly acidic black "oil rain."
According to Iran's IRNA news agency and others, from the night of the 7th (local time) to the early hours of the 8th, the Shahran oil storage facility, a major fuel supply base in northwestern Tehran, fuel tanks in the southern refinery complex area of Ray, and fuel storage facilities in Karaj on the western outskirts came under concentrated airstrikes. After the bombing, the tanks reportedly exploded, releasing large amounts of toxic gas.
Tehran city authorities said, "Oil tanks have exploded, and toxic hydrocarbons and sulfur and nitrogen oxides are spreading widely into the air and clouds," adding, "If it rains, it will be a very dangerous, highly acidic rain." On social media on the 8th that covers the situation in Iran, posts and photos appeared saying thick dark clouds had formed and highly acidic black oil rain was falling over Tehran.
Esmaeil Baghaei, Spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said on X (formerly Twitter) that "the attack on oil storage tanks is tantamount to deliberately waging chemical warfare against Iranian civilians." He added, "The invaders are attacking fuel depots to release toxic substances, poisoning civilians and endangering lives on a large scale," noting, "This is a war crime, a crime against humanity, and genocide."
Tehran province, facing a fuel supply shortfall due to the attack on the oil storage tanks, limited the amount per refueling to 20 liters from 30 liters. Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamadian said, "The reduced refueling limit will be applied only temporarily for about two to three days," adding, "It will soon return to the previous level."