ISTANBUL
The Gulf War has added new environmental challenges to an already fragile region, as attacks on power infrastructure and military targets have caused widespread pollution and toxic emissions, raising concerns about nuclear safety.
The conflict began on Feb. 28, when the US and Israel attacked targets inside Iran.
In addition to casualties, the war has produced millions of tons of carbon and significant environmental damage, according to data compiled by Anadolu from sources including the UN Environment Program, the UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory and the Climate Center and the US Society.
According to information, attacks on oil facilities in particular released toxic fumes, causing serious risks for human health and natural resources.
More than 300 attacks targeting civilian and military installations were reported across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, Cyprus, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Azerbaijan in the first 10 days of the war.
Of those, 232 incidents have environmental hazards.
Explosives and fires caused by attacks aimed at the military increased the chances of oil, heavy metals and toxic substances polluting the environment.
Facilities near residential areas have also increased the risk of residents being exposed to hazardous waste.
Tehran emerged as one of the places where these risks were most visible. Between March 7 and March 8, four oil facilities were targeted in and around the Iranian capital.
The Aghdasiyeh Oil Plant, the Shahran Oil Plant, the Fardis oil storage facility and a storage facility at the Tehran Oil Refinery were all hit.
The refinery, with a daily capacity of about 225,000 barrels, is one of the largest in Iran, and focuses on producing liquefied petroleum gas and gasoline.
It also produces vacuum-based products used in sulfur recovery and asphalt production.
On March 2 and 3, drones launched by Iran targeted the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia and Fujairah Port in the UAE.
Experts warned that the thick smoke produced by attacks on oil refineries contains dangerous gases and chemicals that pose a serious threat to human health.
Marine pollution
Risks of marine pollution also increased amid increased military activity along the Persian Gulf coast.
After the US attack against the Iranian navy, it is estimated that more than 43 Iranian ships were damaged or sunk. Military port facilities around Bandar Abbas and Konarak were also affected.
The oil spill caused by the attack on the Iranian cruise ship Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka has contributed to the dangers of marine pollution.
Separately, Iranian missiles targeting port facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jebel Ali and Manama damaged ships and port facilities, allowing oil and other waste to spill into nearby waters.
Carbon emissions
The carbon emissions from the war exceeded Iceland’s annual emissions in just two weeks.
The emissions were divided into five sources: the destruction of buildings, the explosion of fossil fuel sites, fuel used in combat and support operations, carbon dioxide from military equipment and emissions from missiles and drones.
Carbon emissions from the destruction of buildings amounted to 2,415 million tons.
The explosion of oil refineries produced 1.883 million tons, while the fuel used in the war and support was 529,000 tons.
Carbon emissions from equipment contributed 172,000 tonnes, and missiles and drones produced another 55,000 tonnes.
In total, carbon emissions reached 5.054 million tons in the first two weeks of the war, more than Iceland’s annual emissions.
A nuclear accident
The conflict has also raised concerns about nuclear safety as the strikes move closer to sensitive facilities.
On March 21, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced that the US and Israel had launched an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.
Soon after, sirens were sounded in southern Israel, where the Dimona nuclear plant is located, following Iran’s retaliatory response.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent a nuclear accident, while the Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the conflict in the region has reached a dangerous level.
*Written by Gizem Nisa Demir
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