Iran Grapples with Severe Air Pollution, Forcing Widespread School Closures and Public Health Warnings

Widespread Closures Amid Unmanageable Air Pollution Crisis

An escalating air pollution crisis has prompted the closure of schools and universities across multiple Iranian cities and provinces, including the capital, Tehran, in late November 2025. Officials have openly admitted that the problem has become unmanageable, triggering public health warnings and significant disruptions to daily life. The closures, which began around November 24 and extended through the end of the month, affected millions of students and led to calls for remote work for government employees.

Scope of Disruptions and Alarming Air Quality Levels

The crisis has impacted a broad geographical area, with schools and universities suspended in provinces such as Tehran, Alborz, Semnan, Hamadan, Gilan, Isfahan, Khuzestan, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Qazvin, Zanjan, and Khorasan Razavi. In Tehran province, classes shifted to online instruction, with some exceptions for mountainous areas. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Tehran frequently surpassed 160, categorized as 'unhealthy for everyone,' and reached 'very unhealthy' levels exceeding 200 at several monitoring stations. Specific readings included 219 at Qarchak station and 213 at Fath Square in Tehran, while the Qahjavarestan area in Isfahan recorded an 'extremely hazardous' 297. At one point, Tehran was ranked as the world's most polluted city, surpassing New Delhi. Due to inadequate internet infrastructure, the Ministry of Education resorted to 'television school' as an alternative to online learning.

Health Warnings and Official Admissions

The severity of the pollution has led to dire warnings from authorities. Iran's Vice President cautioned that the smog 'will kill' if conditions worsen. The Governor of Tehran confessed that the issue 'has moved beyond a manageable problem and has become a crisis.' Health officials have warned that prolonged exposure can trigger acute respiratory problems and aggravate chronic conditions, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with heart or respiratory illnesses. According to Iran's Deputy Minister of Health, air pollution was linked to nearly 59,000 deaths in 2024 (1403), with an estimated economic damage of $17.2 billion.

Contributing Factors and Government Measures

The persistent air pollution is attributed to a combination of factors.

• Thermal inversion during colder months traps pollutants over major urban centers.
• Emissions from an aging vehicle fleet are a significant contributor, with cars accounting for an estimated 80% of the city's pollution and motorcycles 30%.
• Industrial emissions from refineries, power plants, cement factories, and sand plants also play a role.
• The burning of mazut, a low-quality heavy fuel oil, in power plants and factories, particularly during power shortages, exacerbates the problem.
• Geographical conditions, such as Tehran's location surrounded by the Alborz Mountains, prevent the dispersion of smog.
• Low-quality gasoline, partly due to international sanctions and outdated refineries, further compounds the issue.
• The ongoing drought and water crisis also weaken environmental resilience.

In response, authorities have implemented various measures beyond school closures, including banning truck traffic, ordering cement and sand factories to halt operations, enforcing odd-even license plate rules, and allowing optional remote work for government staff.

Public Frustration and Calls for Long-Term Solutions

The recurring air pollution crisis has led to growing public frustration and a widespread sense of vulnerability. Environmental experts emphasize the need for comprehensive reforms in transportation, energy production, and industrial regulation to address the deep structural problem. The crisis has also reignited debates about the feasibility of Tehran remaining the political and administrative center of the country.