Expert slams Armenian government silence amid risk of 'toxic rain' in region

An Armenian public health advocate has strongly criticized the government for remaining silent about the potential risk of “toxic rain” in the region following fires at oil storage facilities in Iran reportedly caused by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.

In a statement on Monday, Anush Poghosyan, president of the Right to Health NGO, said Iranian authorities had warned about the possibility of hazardous precipitation linked to large fires burning at oil depots.

According to Poghosyan, burning oil storage facilities can release a range of pollutants into the atmosphere, including sulfur compounds (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), hydrocarbons, soot and particles containing heavy metals.

“These substances can mix with water droplets in clouds, forming acidic compounds that later fall to the ground with precipitation,” she said, describing the phenomenon commonly known as acid rain and sometimes colloquiall referred to as “toxic rain”.

Poghosyan warned that such a scenario could pose environmental and public health risks if atmospheric conditions carry pollutants across national borders.

She urged Armenia’s Health Ministry to assess the potential public health implications and provide clear information to the public.

“In such situations, the Health Ministry’s primary responsibilities include evaluating health risks, protecting the population, ensuring medical facilities are prepared and providing timely public communication,” Poghosyan said.

As of Monday, the Armenian authorities had not publicly commented on whether the fires in Iran could pose any environmental or health risks to Armenia.