Protest Gathering of Ahvazi Citizens Regarding Air Pollution in the City

Reports indicate that a number of people in Ahvaz gathered on Saturday, February 25, in protest against the environmental situation and the worsening phenomenon of dust storms in front of the Khuzestan Governorate. According to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), the protesters demanded that the dust problem be fundamentally resolved. Fars News Agency reported that the protesters also expressed their discontent over 'the indifference of some officials to the dust phenomenon.' Tasnim News Agency published photos from the gathering showing some citizens of Ahvaz holding placards that read: 'Khuzestan has died' and 'I want to breathe.' Meanwhile, Abdolhossein Moqtadaei, the governor of Khuzestan, stated regarding the protest on Saturday in front of the governorate against the dust situation in Khuzestan that the protests held in previous days as well as the one today were illegal and without official permission. However, he emphasized that they must respond to the people's demands, and if a gathering occurs, they are obligated to answer the people. According to ISNA, Abdolhossein Moqtadaei clarified in an interview with reporters that if a civil society organization or any other entity does not obtain official permission for a gathering, the consequences will certainly fall on those who lead these gatherings. He noted that while some of these gatherings are indeed popular, there are individuals among the crowd who, if they seek to exploit these popular gatherings, will not be treated leniently. The governor of Khuzestan also mentioned that they are responsible to the people and that 90% of the protesters are indeed citizens. However, he pointed out that some slogans at these gatherings have no relation to the issue at hand. Therefore, it is necessary for any gathering to have an individual or organization apply for and obtain permission, but those who incite the people in this regard will be distinguished from the general populace. Abdolhossein Moqtadaei also discussed the source of the recent dust in Khuzestan, stating that the external source of this dust continues, but a 46% reduction in rainfall and agricultural lands that have been plowed but not cultivated have exacerbated the situation, leading to dust storms with every gust of wind. In summary, the primary source of these dust storms is predominantly external, with internal factors contributing to the issue. Previously, citizens of Ahvaz and Abadan had also held protests on Thursday in response to the government's approach to the dust situation in Khuzestan. In this context, dust has caused the closure of offices in 11 counties of Khuzestan province, and public places in Khuzestan and West Azerbaijan continue to be closed due to dust. The health minister visited Ahvaz regarding the dust crisis, stating that we should not look for culprits within the ministries. Initiatives have reported that they have not received any reports regarding the pollution of dust particles with uranium.