Iran's General Inspection Organization Addresses Air Pollution in Major Cities

Following the continuation of severe air pollution, the head of Iran's General Inspection Organization announced the organization's involvement in the air pollution issue in various cities and its "confidential correspondence" with the leaders of the three branches of government regarding this matter. Nasser Saraj, the head of this organization, stated in an interview with the newspaper Hemayat on Wednesday, January 9, that the General Inspection Organization has sent confidential letters to the leaders of the three branches and responsible agencies in the field of air quality, requesting their responses and the execution of their legal duties. According to him, the follow-ups by the General Inspection Organization indicate that some relevant agencies have been negligent in this regard, which is why the organization deemed it necessary to intervene in the air pollution issue. Tehran and several other major cities in Iran have recently experienced a red alert for air pollution, a situation that has led to the closure of elementary schools in these cities and the implementation of measures such as the odd-even vehicle traffic plan. Meanwhile, the Iranian cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday, addressed this problem, resulting in immediate and short-term decisions to alleviate air pollution, including restricting motorcycle traffic, monitoring vehicles with higher emissions, and overseeing high-rise construction in certain urban areas. However, officials from Iran's Department of Environment emphasize that the level of air pollution is still lower compared to the years 1391 and 1392 in the Iranian calendar. Saeed Motasaddi, the deputy of this organization, stated in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on Friday: "The measured figures indicate that the concentration of pollutants is decreasing. In some instances, when the weather is cold and temperature inversion occurs, high air pollution index levels are natural, and we implement short-term measures such as school closures and industry shutdowns, the odd-even traffic plan, etc." During Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's second presidential term, Iran began producing petrochemical gasoline following international sanctions, which various reports indicated had a severe impact on air pollution in the country. The production of this gasoline was halted during Hassan Rouhani's administration.