Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi Urges Viewing War Beyond Just an Environmental Issue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized that the environment should not be seen merely as a silent victim of war. He pointed out that recent events in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran have demonstrated how armed conflicts cause significant human suffering and destruction of critical infrastructure, leading to profound and, in some cases, long-lasting environmental impacts.

Araqchi stated, “The environmental disaster in Gaza is extremely tragic, with the United Nations Environment Programme describing it as unprecedented environmental damage.” He also highlighted the destruction of forest areas and agricultural lands in Lebanon caused by the use of weapons and attacks.

He noted that reports and documents presented to the United Nations revealed that millions of square meters of land were burned and thousands of olive trees were damaged. Araqchi further mentioned that attacks by the US and Israel on Iran’s oil reserves, refining centers, and energy infrastructure have posed a ‘serious environmental risk.’