Air pollution has forced the closure of schools and universities in several cities across Iran, signaling that an air quality crisis dogging the country's economy and public health system is worsening.
Government officials announced that the closures affecting both public and private institutions will continue through Thursday in several major cities including Tehran, Isfahan and Ahvaz.
The capital Tehran has seen its air quality deteriorate to the point where clean air days accounted for just 15% of the annual total over the past eight years. Nationwide, air pollution contributes to 25,000 deaths each year, according to official statistics.
The economic toll is also heavy, with air pollution costing the country an estimated $12 billion annually.
The crisis is not only disrupting education but also straining the healthcare system. In central Markazi Province, hospital official Behrooz Irannejad reported that 900 patients with respiratory and cardiac issues sought medical care in one city, Arak, between October 22 and December 10 due to pollution.
Davood Mirshekar, an air quality official in southwestern Khuzestan, announced similar closures across the province. In the central city of Isfahan, elementary and middle schools have switched to remote learning due to stagnant air conditions which have left pollution stubbornly in place.
Ahvaz in the south remains the most polluted city in Iran, with 55% of its days classified as polluted.
Sedigheh Torabi, deputy director of the Department of Environment, attributed this to a mix of natural pollutants such as dust storms and human-generated emissions from power plants, industries and waste burning.
A 2017 Clean Air Law designed to tackle air pollution has been largely ignored. Of the 174 obligations assigned to 23 government agencies, less than half have been implemented over seven years.
Critics argue that the government has prioritized social regulations like the controversial hijab law over addressing environmental concerns.
Outdated vehicles and automaker responsibility
Transportation accounts for 60% of Iran’s air pollution, according to Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raeisi.
Eleven million of 12 million motorcycles and 2.5 million of 14 million vehicles are outdated, exacerbating the crisis. The automakers Iran Khodro and Saipa have come under fire for not tightening emissions standards.
A law requiring the replacement of aging vehicles was abandoned during Hassan Rouhani's presidency, aggravating the issue.
While outdated vehicles play a significant role, air pollution persists even during periods of reduced traffic, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that industrial emissions and low-quality fuels also significantly contribute to the crisis.
Sanctions and government efforts to keep fuel prices low have led to the use of an oil product called naphtha, a cheap but highly polluting alternative.
In May 2024 the government invested $3 billion to produce naphtha.
Reformist newspapers have highlighted the issue, but official data on the extent of its use remains unavailable.
Iran’s use of mazut, a low-quality heavy fuel oil, for energy production has also become a significant environmental and public health concern. Faced with a shortage of natural gas during colder months, Iran has increasingly relied on mazut in its power plants and industries, exacerbating already severe air pollution levels in major cities.
Iran’s air pollution crisis underscores the need for comprehensive reforms. From enforcing environmental laws to modernizing transportation and regulating industrial emissions, the country has yet to address its environmental challenges to protect public health and reduce economic losses.
