Schools in Several Cities of Iran Closed; Ambiguity Surrounding Mazut Burning

Schools in several cities of Iran have been closed and announced to be held online due to severe air pollution; simultaneously, news has emerged regarding the reasons and manner of resuming mazut burning in three power plants. Local officials in various provinces of Iran announced that schools in dozens of cities will be held online on Tuesday, December 20. In Khuzestan province, schools in 17 cities have been declared closed. Recently, air quality in some cities of this province has been in 'red status,' and on Monday, schools in 19 cities of Khuzestan were also closed. In Isfahan province, schools in 12 cities have been announced to be online for Tuesday and Wednesday. In East Azerbaijan province, schools in Tabriz and urban areas in four other cities have also been declared closed for Tuesday. In other provinces, some cities, including Qazvin, Arak, Urmia, Abik, and Alborz, have also declared all schools or some grades closed. Air pollution is responsible for 'about 50,000 cases' of annual deaths in Iran. Air quality in Tehran was in 'red status' on Monday, and according to media reports, despite families waiting until evening, no news was announced regarding whether schools would be in-person or online the next day. Eventually, on Monday evening, the Islamic Republic's television reported, citing the Tehran governorate, that an emergency air pollution task force was not formed, and therefore, schools in the capital would be held in-person on Tuesday. In previous days, some citizens criticized the late announcement regarding school closures or non-closures. The Tehran Air Quality Control Company announced on Monday evening that the air pollution index in the capital was 158, indicating 'red status and unhealthy for all age groups.' The Tehran governorate stated that to determine whether schools would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, the emergency air pollution task force must make a decision on Tuesday. The intensification of air pollution in various cities of Iran occurs while the issue of resuming mazut burning in some power plants has become controversial. Last month, the government of Masoud Pezeshkian announced that by the order of the President and for 'the health of the people,' mazut burning in three power plants in Arak (Shazand), Karaj, and Isfahan would be halted. However, a few days ago, Sediqeh Torabi, an official from Iran's Environmental Protection Organization, confirmed reports about the resumption of mazut burning in these three power plants and stated that this organization is seeking to file complaints against 'the violating ministries.' Nevertheless, according to environmental journalist Zeynab Rahimi, the actions of the two ministries of oil and power to resume mazut burning were carried out with the approval of the Supreme National Security Council. In recent years, the reason for resorting to mazut burning to supply fuel for power plants has been cited as 'gas shortage,' but according to a recent report from the Research Center of the Parliament, currently, not only gas and diesel but also mazut itself is facing shortages.