Severe Air Pollution Forces School Closures in Five Iranian Provinces

Severe Air Pollution Forces School Closures in Five Iranian Provinces
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The Iranian government has ordered schools in five provinces to shut down on Monday due to hazardous air pollution levels, media outlets reported. Authorities announced that in-person classes will be suspended in Alborz, Tehran, Semnan, Hamadan, and Gilan as dense smog continues to affect large parts of the country and seasonal illnesses spread through communities.

Officials said the continued pollution disruptions pose significant health risks for students and teachers, prompting repeated closures in recent weeks. While most of Tehran province will be affected by the shutdown, the suspension does not apply to the cities of Mallard, Robat Karim, Damavand, Firuzkuh, and Pardis, where air quality conditions are considered less severe.

Tehran has been ranked the 12th most polluted city globally, with air quality levels categorized as unhealthy for the general population. Environmental experts attribute the crisis to stagnant weather conditions, vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and increased fuel consumption during colder months. Air pollution has long plagued Iran’s major cities.

Although the government continues to implement emergency measures such as temporary closures and traffic limits, specialists warn that lasting improvements will require major reforms in transportation infrastructure, energy systems, and industrial regulation as public concern over pollution-related illnesses grows.