Iran, Syria Sign MoU to Tackle Particle Pollution

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, IEPO chief Ali Salajeqeh pointed to the outcome of his recent visits to Iraq and Syria in the pursuit of collective action in dealing with the dust pollution and sandstorms that have plagued parts of the Middle East.

He said Iran and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding, in whose first stage a pilot scheme will be operated in Deir ez-Zur, the largest city in eastern Syria, to tackle dust pollution.

Salajeqeh also noted that he has held extensive talks with Iraq’s prime minister, minister of environment, foreign minister, minister of interior, minister of agriculture and minister of water resources, all of whom have hailed Iran’s regional initiative for joint action against particle pollution.

The IEPO chief said Iran and Iraq are planned to sign a memorandum of understanding and hold expert meetings to deal with the problem of dust and particle pollution that has crippled life in many countries.

Sandstorms have blanketed parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria and Iran in recent weeks, sending hundreds of people to hospitals and disrupting flights in some places.

From Riyadh to Tehran, bright orange skies and a thick veil of grit have become part of unprecedented nearly back-to-back sandstorms this year that have bewildered residents and raised alarm among experts and officials, who blame climate change and poor governmental regulations.

Sandstorms are typical in late spring and summer, spurred by seasonal winds. But this year they have occurred nearly every week in the region since March.