Clouds of toxic smoke released into the atmosphere by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s oil facilities returned to earth in the form of “black rain,” prompting warnings of serious risks to the public.
Residents in Tehran have complained of burning eyes and breathing difficulties when the dark and oily precipitation fell near the Iranian capital after strikes hit several fuel oil depots and a refinery.
Black rain occurs when soot, ash, and toxic chemicals combine with water droplets in the atmosphere, then fall when it rains. It can happen after oil refineries or oil fields catch fire, and can also be caused by wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and industrial pollution.
