Primary schools in Tehran province will switch to virtual classes while kindergartens will close on January 26 and January 27, allegedly due to increasing air pollution, state media IRNA reported on January 25.

The Emergency Air Pollution Working Group issued the directive for the capital and the surrounding province, with exceptions only for the mountainous districts of Firuzkuh and Damavand. The decision follows an orange warning from the meteorological service regarding hazardous air quality levels.

Independent air quality readings were not readily available online on January 25 due to ongoing internet restrictions in Iran, which have also disconnected foreign embassies' monitoring stations, bne IntelliNews learned. 

Authorities enforced a temporary traffic scheme restricting vehicles by license plate number, with odd- and even-numbered plates starting at residents' homes. The measure operates from 06:30 to 20:30 on January 26 and January 27 to reduce emissions.

Public sector managers may grant remote working options to staff with specific needs, including those with heart or respiratory conditions, pregnant women, and parents of children in primary education or below. The order also prohibits all outdoor sporting activities.

Traffic police will block high-emission trucks from entering the city, granting exceptions only to vehicles transporting fuel, food, medicine and concrete that hold valid permits.

The directive instructs police to prevent public transport buses from idling at terminals and to enforce penalties against vehicles with visible exhaust issues.

The directives come as Iran has announced a visual no-fly notice severely restricting airspace over the capital city as tensions with the United States and Israel continue to mount in recent days.