WHO chief raises alarm after Israeli attacks on Iranian oil facilities | US-Israel war on Iran News
WHO Warns of Public Health Risks Following Attacks on Iranian Oil Facilities
March 9, 2026
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a warning regarding potential public health risks arising from recent Israeli strikes on oil facilities in Iran. He emphasized that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of this conflict.
In a statement released Monday, Tedros noted that the damage inflicted on Iranian petroleum infrastructure “risks contaminating food, water, and air.” He highlighted the severe health impacts that could affect children, older individuals, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Reports indicate that oil-laden rain has fallen in some regions of Iran.
Iranian officials have confirmed that attacks targeted facilities in Tehran and the neighboring Alborz province over the weekend. According to Fars News Agency, these locations were struck amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.
The Israeli government stated it targeted “a number of fuel storage facilities in Tehran” which were purportedly utilized to support military operations. The strikes resulted in large flames and dense smoke rising above the city, with reports from Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi describing black rain observed on Sunday morning.
The recent assaults on Iran’s energy sector coincide with persistent U.S. and Israeli military actions, despite increasing international concern about the escalating conflict. In response, Iran has conducted missile and drone strikes against various targets in the Middle East, notably targeting energy infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states.
Human rights organizations have criticized both Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition for attacks on civilian infrastructure. Agnes Callamard, the head of Amnesty International, stated that “Israel should have taken all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize the risks to civilians when targeting oil refineries” in Iran. She noted that the reported incidental harm to civilians, including the release of toxic substances, suggests inadequate precautions were taken during the attacks.
Callamard further emphasized the devastating consequences of these strikes, asserting that the resulting civilian casualties, particularly among children, highlight the troubling nature of military operations in the region.
As tensions remain high, the implications of these attacks for public health and safety continue to draw global attention.
