The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has extended over more than 1,000 days since October 2023, has generated significant environmental damage with far-reaching regional and global implications. Following Hamas’s “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” in southern Israel, the war has involved sustained military actions by Israel, with intermittent hostilities continuing beyond the initial 470 days of intense fighting.
The conflict has led to widespread contamination across the Persian Gulf region. Following a ceasefire on April 8, 2026, reports indicate oil leaks in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, polluting waters near Iran’s Qeshm and Kharg islands. These areas serve as habitats for various marine species, including endangered hawksbill sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. Experts warn that the ecological consequences extend beyond Iran’s borders and will impact all countries bordering the Gulf.
Environmental analysts point to the war as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with Israel’s military operations in Gaza alone releasing over 30 million tons of carbon dioxide and generating more than 68 million tons of rubble, according to assessments by Science Direct and a joint UN-World Bank report. The conflict has also included airstrikes on strategic oil facilities, such as the Tehran refinery and the Shahran oil depot, which ignited fires burning between 2.5 and 5.9 million barrels of oil, releasing close to 1.88 million tons of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere. The resulting toxic smog caused severe air pollution over Tehran and neighboring cities, disrupting life for days.
The environmental toll is being linked by some analysts to political and economic motives involving fossil fuel interests. Patrick Bigger, research director at the Climate and Community Institute, characterized the conflict as accelerating climate change, emphasizing that “every missile strike is another downpayment on a hotter, more unstable planet.” Similarly, the Center for American Progress has highlighted the broader environmental hazards of military strikes on oil, chemical, and weapons facilities, noting the release of toxic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other pollutants that persist in air, soil, and water long after active hostilities end.
Concerns have also been raised about the risk of radioactive contamination stemming from airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025. Israeli and U.S. forces conducted extensive bombing campaigns on key nuclear sites including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, employing bunker-busting munitions. Such attacks, viewed by some as violations of international law, pose potential dangers of radioactive release, threatening public health not only in Iran but also across neighboring states.
Experts warn that the environmental consequences of the war will endure far beyond the cessation of fighting. Felix Horne, senior expert at Climate Rights International, noted the lasting impact of war-related pollution on cities, water supplies, and public health. Drawing parallels to post-conflict environments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon, Horne emphasized that toxic residues can contaminate ecosystems and communities for generations, compounding the humanitarian toll with a persistent ecological crisis.
The conflict, intertwined with geopolitical and energy interests, thus represents not only a significant humanitarian challenge but also a critical environmental and climate emergency with global repercussions.