Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that U.S. and Israeli strikes on the country's fuel facilities released 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, warning of severe environmental damage caused by the attacks.
Pezeshkian said at the COP31 U.N. climate summit in Türkiye that attacks on fuel facilities in Asaluyeh released 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide. In comparison, strikes on fuel storage tanks near Tehran produced another 1 million tons.
Israeli strikes targeted oil storage facilities in Tehran on March 7, while gas processing facilities in Asaluyeh in southern Iran were hit March 18.
The president accused Washington and Tel Aviv of causing severe environmental destruction during the military offensive, which began Feb. 28.
He said the attacks highlighted a contradiction between international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and military operations that destroy infrastructure, trigger widespread fires and release pollutants into the atmosphere.
Pezeshkian also condemned Israel's military attacks in the Gaza Strip, saying the territory was facing a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe due to the destruction of infrastructure, water resources and ecosystems.
He said attacks on Iranian protected areas and environmental ranger stations also damaged natural resources and threatened future generations.
Calling for international accountability, Pezeshkian urged organizations to document environmental damage caused by US and Israeli military operations in Iran and Gaza and establish mechanisms for compensation.
He also highlighted Iran's renewable energy development, saying the installed capacity increased from 1,250 megawatts to more than 6,150 megawatts during the last two years.
Iran generated more than 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity in 2026, preventing 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to Pezeshkian.
He stressed that peace and environmental protection were inseparable, saying lasting peace was essential to safeguarding the planet.
The U.S. and Israeli attacks triggered a war that has caused widespread casualties and damage to infrastructure. Diplomatic efforts involving regional mediators have since sought to end the hostilities.
Türkiye is hosting the COP31 U.N. climate conference in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya from Nov. 9 to 20, bringing together world leaders and climate negotiators to discuss emissions reductions, climate adaptation and financing.
