Black clouds over Tehran rain down oil drops after Israel strikes oil facilities

The sky over Iran’s capital was blanketed with thick, choking smoke Sunday morning, hours after Israeli strikes hit oil facilities in Tehran.

Residents reported the smell of burning lingering in the air, with many saying it appeared dark even as the sun rose and rain poured on the city. Some residents reported oil-saturated raindrops from black clouds raining down on the city hours after the strikes.

Iran’s environmental authorities urged Iranians to remain indoors to avoid respiratory problems and other health consequences.

The Iranian Red Crescent said the oil depot explosions released into the air “significant quantities of toxic hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides.”