A major air-pollution wave has swept across parts of the West and Central Asia in recent days, with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait and as far north as Uzbekistan all reporting hazardous or sharply deteriorating air quality. 

Stagnant autumn weather, weak winds and falling temperatures have combined with industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and widespread waste burning to produce a dense regional haze affecting hundreds of millions of people across Asia.

Iran under widespread drought conditions

Prolonged air pollution continued to blanket Iran’s major cities on November 27, with five metropolitan areas recording “very unhealthy” levels, according to the country’s Department of Environment and confirmed by IQAir based in Switzerland. 

Along the Persian Gulf, Ahvaz topped the list with an air quality index of 173, driven by particulate matter, as well as fine dust from regional sandstorms and smoke from cross-border fires. 

Tehran followed with an index of 170, down from the previous day when it was ranked the most polluted city in the world, now placed sixth globally. Mashhad (158) and Ardabil (152) also reported unhealthy conditions. Luckily for the Iranian capital snow and rain have significantly improved the situation in the past 24 hours.

Six Iranian cities, namely Tabriz, Isfahan, Karaj, Shiraz, Semnan and Arak, experienced pollution levels deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.  

Authorities have already introduced emergency measures, including closing nurseries, moving schools and universities online, and allowing remote work for government offices. Similar restrictions may be extended if conditions persist. 

Iraq, Gulf under heavy pollution

Further south of Iraq's core is the small Persian Gulf kingdom of Kuwait, which, due to its proximity to Basra and Ahvaz in Iran, is also now getting the brunt of the pollution levels.

In Kuwait City, air quality has also deteriorated, with frequent pollution spikes caused by industrial emissions, heavy traffic and dust carried by seasonal winds. The situation has worsened so much that diesel-powered equipment and ongoing construction activity have added to the haze enveloping parts of Kuwait City. Health agencies have warned vulnerable residents, including children and the elderly, to limit exposure during peak pollution hours.

Across the small country, weather experts are warning that without coordinated action and stricter environmental controls, air-quality emergencies may become more frequent, particularly in winter months, when stagnant weather conditions allow pollutants to accumulate and linger for days.

Neighbouring Iraq faced its own severe pollution episode, with Baghdad experiencing the most widespread and intense air contamination in a year. The Green Observatory attributed the surge in toxic emissions to uncontrolled waste burning around the capital, alongside industrial activity. 

The organisation reported high concentrations of harmful pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, which caused breathing difficulties among residents and led to several hospital admissions. 

The Observatory warned that similar episodes are likely in the coming weeks and may eventually force the government to declare public holidays on days of extreme pollution if no long-term solutions are implemented. Iraqi authorities had already advised residents to stay indoors.

The Ministry of Environment stepped up inspections and enforcement on November 26 to curb illegal nighttime burning by industrial facilities.

Air quality in Baghdad remains a major concern, with the city consistently ranking among the world’s most polluted urban centres. Recent monitoring shows that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) frequently exceeds international safety limits, and during late 2025 the air-quality index surpassed 200 on several occasions. These spikes pushed conditions into the “unhealthy” range or worse, prompting repeated public health warnings for residents to stay indoors, limit outdoor activity and take protective measures.

Across the Gulf in Bahrain and the nearby Al Khobar area of Saudi Arabia, air pollution also appears to be significantly worsened in recent days, with the Bahrain government reporting an AQI score of 154, while across the causeway in the Az Zahran Area, it reported an AQI score of 102.

Syria and Lebanon 

In Syria, large areas, particularly Damascus, Aleppo and parts of the coastal region, have also reported worsening air quality. Damascus has faced especially persistent pollution, with monitoring data frequently classifying the city’s air as “unhealthy” due to elevated PM2.5 levels. 

Pollution often exceeds World Health Organisation guidelines by several multiples, driven by congested traffic, ageing diesel vehicles, low-quality fuel, industrial emissions and extensive waste burning. Power shortages have increased reliance on diesel generators, adding further nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide emissions. 

Hospitals in the capital have reported a rise in respiratory cases linked to poor air quality, especially during temperature inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground. Local authorities have issued repeated warnings, advising vulnerable groups to minimise outdoor activity.