US‑Israeli aggression harms environmental sites in 11 provinces
During the US‑Zionist war against Iran, the infrastructure, buildings, and protective facilities of this organization were damaged in 11 provinces of the country, said the deputy head of the Department of Environment for natural environment and biodiversity, Hamid Zohrabi.
He noted that the environment and natural areas have become victims of the Zionist regime’s warmonger activities against Iran, IRNA reported.
Zohrabi added that, in addition to damage to some environmental infrastructure and facilities, the attacks on fuel‑storage centers also caused severe air pollution in the capital.
He reported that, during the 12‑day conflict, approximately 8,500 hectares of protected areas —including forests and rangelands — were affected by fires, a large share of which occurred in the Zagros region.
Emphasizing the continuity of the Department of Environment’s conservation mission, he stated, “Despite the damages incurred, our organization’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and natural areas remains strong.”
He further said, “We strive to prevent any disruption in the protection of natural areas through greater cohesion and cooperation with environmentalists, nature‑lovers, and civil‑society organizations.”
Fortunately, he noted, despite the prevailing conditions, there has been no interruption in the protection of various regions of the country, and pathways for misuse by violators have been blocked.
According to Article 55 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention, the severe destruction of natural environments is prohibited. The serious air pollution in Tehran following the attacks on fuel‑storage centers can be considered an example of environmental manipulation for military purposes — an act also contradictory to the 1976 ENMOD Convention (Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques).
During his visit to North Khorasan Province, Zohrabi also inspected several sites under the management of the Department of Environment.