Antalya:Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the COP31 UN climate summit in Türkiye, stating that US and Israeli military attacks on Iranian fuel facilities have led to the release of 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, resulting in extensive environmental damage.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Pezeshkian detailed that the attacks on fuel facilities in Asaluyeh released 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide, while strikes on storage tanks near Tehran generated an additional 1 million tons. The Israeli military targeted oil storage facilities in Tehran on March 7, and gas processing facilities in southern Iran's Asaluyeh were struck on March 18.

The president criticized the actions of Washington and Tel Aviv, accusing them of causing severe environmental destruction since the military offensive began on February 28. He emphasized the contradiction between global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and military activities that devastate infrastructure, ignite widespread fires, and release pollutants.

Pezeshkian also condemned Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, highlighting a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe due to the destruction of infrastructure and natural resources. He urged for international accountability and called for organizations to document and compensate for the environmental damage caused by the military operations.

Highlighting Iran's commitment to renewable energy, Pezeshkian noted an increase in installed capacity from 1,250 megawatts to over 6,150 megawatts in two years. He mentioned that Iran produced over 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity in 2026, preventing 2.5 million tons of carbon emissions.

The ongoing conflict, initiated by the US and Israeli attacks, has led to significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Efforts by regional mediators aim to resolve the hostilities. The COP31 UN climate conference, hosted by Türkiye in Antalya from November 9 to 20, gathers world leaders to discuss climate action and financing.