Deadly Crises Push Iran to the Brink

By Amir Daftari

Tehran was engulfed in thick smog on Friday as stagnant weather trapped pollution over the capital, intensifying a nationwide environmental emergency already compounded by water shortages, energy rationing, and a deepening drought.

The surge in dirty air across six major cities comes at a critical time, with falling water reserves affecting agriculture and daily life, while officials warn that Iran is confronting one of the deadliest environmental crises in recent history, with air pollution claiming 161 lives per day, or roughly seven every hour, in the past Iranian calendar year.

Newsweek reached out to Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Iran’s intensifying environmental strain carries significant implications for both the country and the wider region.

Diminishing water reserves and recurring pollution episodes are already constraining agricultural output, raising broader concerns about food security in a region where supply chains are tightly interlinked and highly exposed to climate volatility.

Inside Iran, these pressures have become a persistent catalyst for public frustration, contributing to periodic unrest in communities hardest hit by drought and declining services.

The convergence of polluted air, shrinking water supplies, and mounting infrastructure strain illustrates how environmental decline can deepen economic hardship and sharpen political vulnerabilities, positioning Iran’s crisis as a stark example of the broader challenges confronting climate-stressed states across the Middle East.

What To Know

Tehran’s pollution levels surged as fine particulate matter spiked across the capital and five other major cities, prompting health warnings and emergency restrictions. The Tehran Air Quality Control Company reported a 24-hour PM2.5 average of 103, with morning readings peaking at 133.

These levels fall into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category, meaning children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions are at higher risk of health problems, including breathing difficulties and cardiovascular stress.

Iran’s air pollution caused about 58,975 deaths in the Iranian calendar year starting in March 2024, equivalent to 161 deaths per day and around seven every hour, the country’s deputy health minister said last week.

Authorities cite industrial emissions, heavy traffic from aging vehicles, and the burning of low-quality fuels in power plants and factories as the main sources of pollution.

Rapid urbanization and high energy demand, particularly during winter months, exacerbate the problem, trapping particulates over dense cities and creating chronic health challenges.

Causes and Government Response

Meteorologists listed Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Ahvaz, Karaj, and Tabriz as the cities most at risk of worsening conditions due to stagnant atmospheric patterns that limit dispersion.

Authorities responded with 24-hour bans on sand and gravel mining in 10 districts, the suspension of school sports, and remote work for employees with respiratory or cardiac conditions, as well as working mothers with young children.

The crisis is worsened by energy shortages, with gas supply constraints forcing periodic electricity rationing and outages. Water scarcity is also rising, as drought and declining reservoirs have led to rationing in parts of Tehran.

Earlier this week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that relocating the capital may become unavoidable due to overcrowding and ecological strain, suggesting an underdeveloped region in southeastern Iran as a potential site.

“When we proposed relocating the capital, we lacked the budget—otherwise it might have happened. People said it was impossible, but now it’s no longer optional,” he said.

What People Are Saying

Iran's National Meteorological Organization official Sadegh Ziaian said on Friday: “Tehran’s sky will remain clear with local haze, and air will reach unhealthy levels for all groups.”

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday: “Protecting the environment is not a joke. Ignoring it means signing our own destruction.”

What Happens Next

Iran’s environmental crises are increasingly interconnected. Without systemic reforms, including modernized transport, cleaner fuel, expanded energy capacity, and upgraded water infrastructure, Tehran and other major cities are likely to face repeated hazardous air spikes, recurring water rationing, and mounting health, economic, and social pressures.