Pezeshkian Calls for International Condemnation of ‘Ecocide’ in Middle East

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday called on the international community to condemn what he described as “ecocide” caused by wars across the Middle East, warning that the environmental consequences of conflict extend beyond national borders.

Speaking at a nature summit in Armenia attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Pezeshkian said the conflicts in Gaza and the wider region had inflicted significant damage on the natural environment and required coordinated international action.

“What has occurred in our region as a result of wars of aggression is ecocide, or environmental genocide, and it must be condemned,” Pezeshkian said.

His remarks come as conflicts across the Middle East continue to raise concerns about their long-term environmental consequences, including damage to ecosystems, pollution, and the destruction of agricultural land and essential infrastructure.

Environmental damage caused by warfare can persist long after fighting ends, affecting water and soil quality, wildlife, public health, and the livelihoods of communities. Addressing such impacts often requires cross-border cooperation, environmental assessments, and long-term recovery efforts.

Pezeshkian’s appeal placed the environmental costs of regional conflicts at the center of discussions at the summit, calling attention to the need for international solutions to damage that can affect countries far beyond the immediate areas of fighting.