The article discusses the potential long-term effects of the war currently taking place in Iran, particularly highlighting the environmental damage it is causing. According to Deutsche Welle, the environmental impacts of the conflict are severe and will persist long after the fighting has stopped. A non-profit organization based in the UK, the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), has recorded over 300 potential instances of environmental harm since the conflict began, which include damages from strikes on missile bases, oil refineries, and tankers. However, this number is believed to represent only a fraction of the actual impacts.

Doug Weir, director of CEOBS, suggests that the true extent of environmental damage is likely much higher, citing claims by the United States of having struck 5,000 targets related to the conflict. The UN has already warned that attacks on oil facilities could lead to severe environmental repercussions across the region. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms regarding the health threats posed by the 'black rain' phenomenon in Iran, which is linked to oil contamination and could have dire implications for public health.

Overall, the narrative underscores the broader consequences of military conflicts, extending beyond immediate human loss to encompass long-lasting ecological damage that can affect health and the environment for generations. This aspect of warfare is often overlooked but is crucial for understanding the full scope of a conflict's impact on society and the natural world.