Iranian Cities Experience Worst Air Pollution of the Year

Tehran and several other major Iranian cities experienced some of the worst air pollution of the year on Thursday, forcing school closures and prompting health warnings for millions of residents.

Air quality indexes exceeded 200 at some monitoring stations in Tehran, reaching the "very unhealthy" category.

Mashhad, Isfahan, Urmia, Tabriz, Qom, and 16 cities in Khuzestan province also recorded red or orange alert levels.

At Tehran's Qarchak station, the air quality index reached 219, while Fath Square in the capital’s District 9 recorded 213, both classified as "very unhealthy for the general public."

Other parts of Tehran registered indexes around 179, categorized as "unhealthy for the general public."

Schools and universities in Tehran were closed, and education ministry officials said closures would continue if conditions do not improve.

The ministry added that "television school" would replace online learning, citing inadequate internet infrastructure for online education nationwide.

In Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan province, air quality reached 160, classified as "unhealthy for all groups," with most monitoring stations showing red-level conditions.

Isfahan's average air quality index reached 159 by 8 a.m. on Thursday, with several monitoring stations recording levels between 160 and 188. The Qahjavarestan area hit 297, one of Iran's most polluted spots, reaching "extremely hazardous" conditions.

Urmia entered its third consecutive day of "very unhealthy" air quality.

In Tabriz, the East Azerbaijan meteorological office warned that worsening pollution would continue through Sunday.

Khuzestan province reported widespread pollution, with 16 cities in red or orange alert status. Abadan, Ahvaz, Behbahan, Karun, Khorramshahr, Susangerd, Shadegan, Mahshahr, Mollasani, and Hoveyzeh all registered red-level conditions, classified as unhealthy for all groups.

Authorities cautioned residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory conditions, to limit prolonged outdoor activities.