Source: WIRED
The Iran conflict is creating a parallel environmental crisis—toxic smoke from oil facilities, soil poisoning, and ecosystem collapse generate long-term public health liabilities that persist after any ceasefire. Environmental degradation from war rarely enters sanctions discussions, humanitarian aid calculations, or peace negotiations, despite determining whether affected regions remain habitable. Poisoned agriculture, contaminated water systems, and displaced populations may shift how conflict risk is priced by insurers, development banks, and multinational supply chains operating in volatile regions.