A few days after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, veterinarian and bird researcher Reza Kiamarzi set out on a dangerous mission — not to escape the war, but to search for signs of survival.
Kiamarzi trekked into the mountains outside his home city of Isfahan in central Iran, climbing steep cliffs in search of nests belonging to endangered falcons. His goal was to determine whether the explosions, vibrations and noise from nearby attacks had harmed the birds during one of the most critical periods of their lives: breeding season.
The strikes coincided with the nesting period of Iran’s prized Saker falcons and red-naped Shaheen falcons, among the fastest-flying birds in the world. Two known nests near military facilities had been located close to areas hit during the bombardment, raising fears that eggs and chicks may have been affected.
“It’s a long climb to the foot of the cliffs. And then we have to rock climb to reach the nests,” Kiamarzi said.
He eventually found the nests, and the falcons were still there. But he is continuing to assess whether the attacks caused lasting damage.
The war has added another layer of pressure to Iran’s already fragile conservation efforts. For years, environmental groups have battled climate change, water shortages, habitat destruction and economic hardship caused by decades of international sanctions. The conflict has now brought new threats, from damaged habitats to restricted access to key wildlife areas.
Iran, a country roughly two and a half times the size of Texas, is home to remarkable ecological diversity. Its landscapes range from the humid forests of the Caspian Sea coast to the deserts surrounding the Persian Gulf, with the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges cutting across the country.
The country also sits along a major migration route for birds travelling between Eurasia and Africa, making its conservation efforts important beyond its borders.
According to a 2024 report by Iran’s Environment Department, at least 86 animal species are at risk of extinction, including the Asiatic cheetah, Persian fallow deer, leopards, brown bears, Persian onagers, great bustards and several birds of prey.
“It’s a big question how much longer we and other conservation NGOs can keep working. We’re waiting every moment to see what happens,” said Iman Ebrahimi, founder of Isfahan-based conservation group AvayeBoom, which means “The Earth’s Cry” in Persian.
For Iran’s falcons, one of their safest breeding grounds before the war was ironically near military sites. The restricted areas often kept away poachers and smugglers who target valuable birds of prey.
“It's a secure area no one dares get close to, not poachers and smugglers,” Kiamarzi said.
But the country’s economic crisis has intensified illegal wildlife trafficking. Iran’s currency has lost more than half its value in the past year, increasing incentives for smugglers to sell prized falcons to wealthy buyers in Arab Gulf countries using stronger foreign currencies.
Wildlife expert Jamshid Parchizadeh, based in the United States, warned that airstrikes on military facilities in desert and mountainous regions could also threaten habitats of Iran’s endangered predators.
“These strikes in far-flung places are causing habitat degradation,” he said, adding that pollution, soil contamination and destruction of vegetation could have long-term consequences.
Parchizadeh, who previously studied Asiatic cheetahs, Persian leopards and brown bears in Iran, said military attacks can permanently disrupt animal behaviour.
“Bombing causes wildlife disturbance for the bears and the leopards who live in the mountains — and that animal forever leaves that area from fear,” he said.
Even before the war, Iran’s wildlife faced severe challenges. The country’s dry climate has become increasingly vulnerable due to prolonged drought, poor water management and rising demand from a growing population.
Over the past two decades, Iran’s population has increased from around 73 million to more than 93 million, putting further pressure on limited water resources.
The conflict has also made some important conservation sites inaccessible. Islands in the Persian Gulf, including areas vital for turtles and migratory birds, have been particularly affected.
Ebrahimi said reports suggested an oil spill had reached parts of Shidvar Island, a small uninhabited island that serves as a breeding ground for turtles and thousands of birds.
Despite the challenges, Iran has a long history of environmental protection. The country established its Environment Department in 1971, shortly after the United States created its own environmental agency.
Conservationists are now focusing on rebuilding public connections with nature. AvayeBoom has worked with communities around the Arjan protected area in southern Fars province, using education campaigns and public art to highlight local wildlife.
One campaign focused on the ruddy shelduck, a colourful water bird familiar to residents. A mural featuring the species was painted on a main street, helping raise awareness about local biodiversity.
After returning to the area following a ceasefire, the group found that residents had developed a stronger appreciation for nearby wetlands and wildlife.
“Despite the war, the majority of people considered the environment, the nearby wetlands they have and the wildlife there very important to them,” said Fateme Kazemi, CEO of AvayeBoom.
But conservationists remain worried. Security restrictions following protests and conflict have limited fieldwork, while sanctions and economic decline have reduced funding opportunities.
A wildlife photographer studying Iran’s Persian Gulf coast said she had stopped working recently because of security concerns.
“One of the real dangers for protecting the environment is people losing their connection with nature,” she said.
Despite the uncertainty, AvayeBoom says it will continue its work across Iran’s mountains, forests, deserts and wetlands.
“The first thing we are worried about is that the economic situation will make protecting the environment not a priority,” Ebrahimi said.
But even after years of pressure, he added: “Our doors haven’t closed and we’ve continued with our work.”