TEHRAN, Iran — On Tuesday, authorities in Iran declared that all government offices, educational institutions, and universities in Tehran province would be closed for two days due to deteriorating air quality, as reported by state television.

Tehran, the capital and a densely populated city with more than 10 million residents, initially closed elementary schools and kindergartens over the weekend. However, due to worsening pollution levels, officials extended the closure to all governmental offices, universities, and schools for Wednesday and Thursday. They specified that classes would transition to online formats during this period.

According to the broadcast, essential services like banks and healthcare facilities will remain operational on these days despite the closure of educational institutions.

Additionally, schools and universities in the nearby Alborz province and central Isfahan province are also set to close on the same days.

Typically, educational institutions in Iran operate from Saturday to Wednesday, making this closure noteworthy as it disrupts the usual schedule.

Visibility in Tehran was notably poor on Tuesday, prompting authorities to alert residents to the hazardous air quality and strongly recommend that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, those with preexisting conditions, and children, take necessary precautions.

In response to persistent pollution issues, officials occasionally implement similar closures. Tehran is known for having some of the worst air quality globally, a situation largely attributed to high levels of vehicular traffic due to millions of gasoline-powered cars, motorcycles, and industrial emissions. This air quality crisis tends to worsen during the winter months due to stagnant weather conditions, which limit wind and rain.

The city’s geographical layout, surrounded by tall hills and mountains, exacerbates the problem. The cold, still air often settles in the valley, trapping emissions and preventing them from dispersing.

In July 2022, Tehran and several other cities in Iran experienced similar closures due to a sandstorm that engulfed the city and its surroundings, underscoring the ongoing environmental challenges faced by the region.