Iran keeps educational centers and offices closed due to high air pollution

Tehran. – The severe air pollution in Tehran and several other provinces of Iran has again forced the closure of educational and administrative centers this Saturday, and the declaration of alert by emergency teams due to the harmful levels of pollution for the population. Tehran, which in recent days has been one of the most polluted cities in the world, recorded PM2.5 particle concentration levels (the most dangerous for humans) of 156 in the last 24 hours, considered unhealthy for all groups, according to the Air Quality Control Company of the Iranian capital. Faced with this situation, schools and universities are operating virtually, public office workers are working from home, and banks are operating in a limited manner, with some branches on duty, announced the Air Pollution Emergency Committee. Also, the Tehran Meteorological Office reported that, due to the concentration of polluting particles, emergency teams remain on "maximum alert", indicating that air pollution will remain at harmful levels until Monday. The governor of Tehran, Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian, recommended the use of masks for vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, patients with heart or respiratory diseases, and pregnant women.

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In addition to Tehran, several provinces of the country, such as East and West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Alborz, Bushehr, Gilan and Isfahan, which also record high levels of air pollution, have taken similar measures, such as teaching educational classes virtually and restricting administrative activities. These restrictions began last Tuesday and Wednesday in Tehran and a dozen provinces of the country.

Unhealthy Air Levels

Air quality index levels between 151 and 200 are considered unhealthy for all groups, while readings above 200 are classified as very unhealthy or hazardous.

Every year, at the end of autumn and during the winter, Iran experiences an air pollution crisis, fueled by vehicle emissions, industries, and adverse weather conditions. Environmental experts point to the emissions from vehicles, the burning of low-quality fuels, old factories on the metropolitan periphery, and the thermal inversion that traps pollutants as the main causes of pollution. According to data from the Iranian Ministry of Health, air pollution killed nearly 58,975 people in Iran between March 2024 and March 2025.