Iran's wildlife threatened by war and economic crisis

A few days after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, veterinarian Reza Kiamarzi travelled to the Zagros mountains near Isfahan to check on nests of endangered Saker and red‑naped Shaheen falcons. He found the birds still present but is evaluating whether bomb vibrations and noise have harmed breeding success. Conservation groups such as AvayeBoom warn that the war compounds an already severe economic crisis that has driven illegal falcon trade and weakened protection for at least 86 Iranian species listed as at risk, including the Asiatic cheetah, Persian leopard and brown bear. U.S.‑based wildlife expert Jamshid Parchizadeh says airstrikes also damage habitats, causing soil contamination and forcing large carnivores to abandon mountain areas. The conflict and sanctions have further strained water resources and biodiversity in a country that serves as a critical migratory corridor between Eurasia and Africa.