The human rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW), said that Israeli airstrikes on oil depots around Tehran in March may have caused serious long-term harm to civilians and may constitute war crimes.
In a report published on April 13, the organization said that attacks on infrastructure that is largely civilian in nature "are violations of international humanitarian law" and "likely constitute war crimes."
The attacks occurred on March 7, when Israel targeted four oil depots in the Tehran area.
Iranian authorities reported the next day that “four locations used for the storage and distribution of petroleum products and a transportation center for petroleum products… were attacked by hostile aircraft.”
On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they had struck "several fuel storage complexes" in Tehran belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
HRW said the attacks could have serious long-term consequences for those living in Iran.
The attacks “could have devastating consequences for the environment and human health for many years and likely constitute war crimes,” HRW researcher Bahar Saba wrote.
"Israeli forces do not appear to have taken into account the foreseeable long-term damage... and must be held accountable," she added.
The organization said it based its findings on interviews with eight people in Tehran and Karaj, consultations with nine environmental and health experts, and analysis of satellite imagery and verified videos.
HRW also wrote to Israeli and Iranian authorities on March 26, seeking clarification.
Iranian officials did not respond, while Israeli officials responded on March 30, saying the attacks were "carried out in accordance with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions."
They added that the facilities targeted were “to provide fuel directly to units in the regime’s armed forces… including aviation, UAVs and naval vessels.”
HRW said it confirmed that the oil depots were used for "civilian purposes," but noted that it could not determine whether they were also used for military support.
An informed source told the organization that “the oil depots contained only gasoline and diesel… they are not used for aviation, UAVs or naval vessels.”
The human rights group concluded that, given the foreseeable environmental and health damage, the attacks raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
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