Media outlets in Iran reported that air pollution in the capital claimed the lives of 6,000 Tehran residents last year.
The state-run news website Etemad Online wrote on Friday, August 1: “Air pollution is a long-standing issue for Tehran residents; in the first half of the year, they grapple with dust storms, and in the second half, with temperature inversion.”
According to data from the Tehran Air Quality Control Company, the capital experienced only six days of clean air between March 21 and July 27.
During the same period, there were 75 days of moderate air quality, 39 days classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, five days as unhealthy for all groups, and three days as very unhealthy and hazardous.
Iranian Regime Blamed as Main Culprit Behind Environmental Pollution
Citing this data, Etemad Online wrote: “Although 23 agencies are responsible for air pollution management, since the beginning of this year (March 21), Tehran residents have had to endure polluted air nearly every third day.”
Earlier in June, the research center of Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), citing evaluations by the Ministry of Health, announced that in 2023, air pollution was the cause of premature death for over 30,000 people in 57 cities with a combined population of around 48 million.
The economic damage caused by air pollution across the country is estimated at around $23 billion.
Following persistent air pollution and dust haze in Tehran, Reza Shahbazi, deputy head of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran, warned on July 8 that the dried-up Salehiyeh wetland in the southwest of the capital has become the primary source of dust storms.
Reasons Behind the Regime’s Failure to Contain the Air Pollution Crisis
Etemad Online further cited “fragmented responsibilities among agencies and lack of enforceability” as the main reasons behind Tehran’s continued air pollution.
Surge in Mazut Consumption in Iran Amid Rising Exports of Clean Fuels
According to the report, proposed solutions include “establishing a single authority with executive power, providing sustainable funding for pollution-reduction projects, banning the use of outdated vehicles, and holding underperforming institutions accountable.”
Urban affairs expert Mohammadreza Tavakolian criticized the current situation, stating that despite clearly defined responsibilities for the relevant agencies, the lack of sufficient funding and enforceability has left many laws and plans unimplemented, remaining only on paper.
On July 31, the state-run website Tejarat News reported that contrary to previous promises by Iranian regime officials, the burning of mazut (heavy fuel oil) has become an “official and relied-upon option” for the regime in managing its energy crisis—a practice that continued even last year.
The outlet noted the regime’s inability to handle the energy crisis even with mazut-burning, writing: “People are forced to endure air pollution, power outages, and numerous illnesses all at once.”
