The Take: Is war turning Tehran’s air into a chemical weapon?
Black rain follows oil strikes in Tehran, spreading toxic fallout into air, soil and water.
![People watch from a bridge as flames from an Israeli attack rise from Sharan Oil depot, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. [Majid Asgaripour/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-06-15T032306Z_1250064999_RC2O2FA2Q7TF_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-NUCLEAR-1774363960.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Black rain has fallen over Tehran after oil depot strikes in the United States-Israel war on Iran filled the sky with toxic petrochemical smoke. The contamination can seep into lungs, soil and water with long-term risks ranging from cancer to lasting environmental damage. What happens when the air people breathe becomes part of the battlefield?
In this episode:
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Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolome and Sari el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat and our guest host Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Sari el-Khalili.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
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