Tehran's air quality has plunged to a critical "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" state on July 7, with the city's Air Pollution Index (API) soaring past 300 in the last 24 hours, according to the latest measurements, Bartarinha reported.

The city's skies, typically a suffocating grey in recent weeks, have now turned a foreboding brown, indicating a severe health risk for all citizens, not just sensitive groups.

Residents with underlying conditions such as heart and lung problems, the elderly, children, and pregnant women are strongly advised to remain indoors and avoid any outdoor activity due to the extreme danger.

Despite this unprecedented environmental crisis, the Provincial Disaster Management Headquarters, which typically convenes in such circumstances to order school and office closures, has yet to issue any official announcement. This inaction stands in stark contrast to the severity of the situation.

Further alarming residents and experts, Mohammad Saber Baghkhanipour, CEO of the Tehran Air Quality Control Company, in a live television interview, controversially advised people to "get used to" the dust. This statement has drawn widespread surprise and criticism, suggesting a passive approach from an institution expected to champion air quality improvements. As journalist Abdolreza Khazaei remarked, "An institution that should be the voice of warning and demanding from the government has now become a voice of passivity and surrender."

The root cause of Tehran's dust problem has been attributed to the drying up of reservoirs in the south of Alborz and southwest of Tehran, exacerbated by strong winds.

Ahad Vazifeh, Head of the National Centre for Climate and Drought Crisis Management, explained that these areas, once seasonal reservoirs collecting rainwater and supporting reed growth, have transformed into desert regions. This desiccation is a direct consequence of a 40% decrease in rainfall below normal levels and the indiscriminate extraction of groundwater, leading to a significant decline in surface water.

Vazifeh warned that even after dust subsides, subsequent strong winds will inevitably trigger further episodes of dust and air pollution due to the susceptible state of the land.

The deteriorating air quality has been palpable for Tehran's citizens, many of whom took to social media to express their distress

"Tehran became the most polluted city in the world. The air pollution became so severe that you couldn't see the building on the next street," a user named Mohammad wrote.

"Although Tehran has been almost deserted for the past few days (due to public holidays), see the air pollution index! What could be the reason for all this pollution?" wrote Saeed.

"When the electricity goes out, you have to open the window. It's dusty outside ... Dust enters your lungs..." another user said.

Kamelia said, "This amount of air pollution is really pure cancer, poor next generation, it is not clear what is going to happen to them."

The outcry from citizens and experts alike highlights growing frustration with the official response. As Khazaei critically concludes, Baghkhanipour "should not warn people to get used to it, you should shout at the officials to do something! You must state clearly that if there is no plan to control dust sources, if the comprehensive plan to combat desertification is not implemented, if the environmental budget is still on the sidelines, there will be no future to breathe."

Tehran is not alone in its struggle with dust storms. Cities in Iran's west and southeast have long faced even more critical conditions.

According to Vazifeh, dust plaguing western border provinces like Ilam, Khuzestan, and Bushehr originates from Iraq and Syria. Eastern Iran's dust storms, affecting regions such as Sistan-Baluchestan, northern Hormozgan, and southern Kerman, are primarily caused by the dried-up Hamoun Lake bed and the region's notorious 120-day winds.