TEHRAN - When wars break out, the news usually focuses on the tragic loss of human lives, injuries, and damage to buildings and infrastructure. But behind these visible horrors lies a similarly harrowing, though less visible, consequence of wars—one that rarely gets the attention it deserves: the long-lasting harm war does to the environment.

When a region is attacked, it’s not just people and property that pay the price. The natural world suffers too, often in ways that take decades to heal—if they ever do. The damage to wildlife habitats, forests, and ecosystems can be devastating and sometimes permanent.

In the recent 12-day war of aggression against Iran, Iranians mourned the loss of precious lives they lost. The severe damage made to residential areas, public services, healthcare facilities, and vital infrastructure was deservedly noted. They are all denounced as war crimes under international humanitarian law and must be documented for the purpose of holding the criminals to account. But less visible were the blows to nature.

With every explosion, the environment was harmed. Bombs and explosives not only killed and maimed fellow human beings but also hurt Mother Nature by sending toxic gases and particles into the air, threatening public health and safety.

The war caused significant pollution—contaminating air, water, and soil—and released large amounts of greenhouse gases. In Tehran alone, the destruction of buildings left behind more than 150,000 tons of debris. Bombing fuel storage tanks ignited nearly 19.5 million liters of fuel, sending dangerous pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Additional attacks on energy facilities in the South Pars region poured out even more harmful emissions.

These emissions aren’t just local problems—they worsen the global climate crisis. At a time when countries everywhere are working hard to cut greenhouse gases and uphold international climate promises, wars like this undermine those efforts and add even greater strain to our fragile planet.

The environmental fallout of this military aggression was extensive, as the Israeli regime did not care for any rule of international humanitarian law. Reports show that the attacks sparked wildfires across 13 protected areas in Iran, scorching around 9,000 hectares of land and destroying ranger stations and vehicles meant to safeguard these precious environments.

The environmental cost of modern warfare is often ignored, yet its effects reach far beyond the conflict zone and affect the adjacent areas. It endangers ecosystems, human health, and the future of all who share this Earth. To truly address this crisis, environmental concerns must become a central part of global security conversations, and those responsible for such destruction must be held accountable as war criminals.

The damage that the Israeli regime's military aggression caused to Iran's environment and natural habitat, fauna, and flora must be seriously considered by relevant international mandate-holders and shall be documented as grave violations of international humanitarian law. This is a shared responsibility of each and every decent person of conscience who cares for the health and well-being of our planet.

Without action, the price of war will continue to extend well beyond the battlefield, threatening the planet and generations to come.