TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s oil facilities and refineries have raised serious environmental risks. “When an attack causes soil contamination, destruction of water resources, and the creation of hazardous materials, its effects can persist far beyond the time and place of the attack,” he said, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.
“The environment can no longer be considered a silent victim of war. War and conflict not only target people’s lives… but also water, soil, air, forests, agricultural lands, energy resources, natural habitats, and biodiversity.”
He said that “the destruction of water and soil resources, air pollution, the destruction of vegetation and ecosystems, and the emission of pollutants, wastes, and hazardous materials are among the consequences that can continue for years and even decades after the end of the conflict.
“In recent years, we have witnessed in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran how military attacks, in addition to human casualties and the destruction of vital infrastructure, have left deep and sometimes lasting effects on the environment.” Araghchi added that “No government, institution, or actor should consider itself beyond international responsibilities.” Iran nuclear technology “safe from external disruption: Chief of Iran Atomic Energy Organisation Iran’s nuclear technology is safe from external disruption and cannot be halted by threats, pressure, or attacks, Mohammad Eslami chief of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), said, according to Al Jazeera.
