The city of Ahwaz continues to top global rankings of the most polluted cities, amid a worsening and complex environmental crisis directly linked to long-term Iranian occupation policies particularly in water resource management, dam construction, the deterioration of the oil sector, and weak compliance with environmental standards.
Recent reports indicate that Ahwaz is still suffering from extremely high levels of fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5, which is considered one of the most dangerous air pollutants to human health.
Alarming indicators and record figures
Ahwaz has long been known as one of the most polluted cities, but recent figures reflect an unprecedented escalation in the scale of the crisis.
In 2024, the city recorded around 211 days in which the Air Quality Index exceeded 100 the threshold beyond which air is classified as unhealthy.
Reports issued in 2025 also confirmed that Ahwaz continues to rank among the most polluted cities globally, reflecting the failure of current policies to contain the crisis.
On some days, levels of fine particulate matter exceed 6 to 11 times the limits set by the World Health Organization, exposing residents to serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and increasing pollution-related mortality rates.
Dams and the drying of Hawr Al-Azim: A Worsening
Environmental Disaster
Water management policies particularly excessive dam construction and the diversion of water to the Persian interior by the Iranian occupation are among the most prominent factors contributing to the worsening pollution crisis.
The construction of dams on major rivers such as the Karun and Karkheh has reduced water flow to wetlands.
The most notable consequence has been the degradation of Hawr Al-Azim (Hawizeh Marsh), whose area has shrunk from about 124,000 hectares in the 1970s to less than 60,000 hectares.
Additionally, the construction of a 65-kilometer border wall since 2009 has further restricted water flow.
This drying has turned the marsh bed into a major source of fine dust, contributing to increased dust storms. According to the Tehran Meteorological Organization, most of the dust covering Ahwaz originates internally specifically from western Ahwaz rather than solely from neighboring countries.
In a notable admission, former Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad acknowledged in 2014 that government policies contributed to drying wetlands and harming local populations.
Gotvand Dam: A case of poor planning
The Gotvand Dam is one of the most controversial projects, as it was built on a salt dome despite expert warnings.
This led to a sharp increase in the salinity of the Karun River, resulting in the destruction of vast agricultural lands, increased desertification, and consequently higher dust levels in the region.
Experts believe such projects reflect the influence of what is known as the “water mafia” networks of vested interests linked to powerful institutions that pushed forward projects without adequate environmental assessments.
Oil and Gas Industry: A major contributor to pollution
Ahwaz plays a central role in the Iranian occupation’s economy, providing more than 80% of oil and gas production. However, the development of oil fields such as the Azadegan (Maysan Plain) field has often occurred without regard for environmental standards.
Drilling operations, pipeline construction, and road building within wetlands have disrupted water flow and led to the drying of more than 50,000 hectares of Hawr Al-Azim.
Additionally, around 65 gas flares are spread across the Ahwaz area, emitting large quantities of pollutants, including fine particles, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals.
Despite local demands to shut down or reduce these flares, no effective measures have been taken so far, further exacerbating the environmental and health crisis.
Poor agricultural management and water depletion
Data show that Iran’s agricultural sector consumes more than 90% of water resources, despite contributing no more than 10% to GDP.
This sector relies heavily on inefficient traditional irrigation methods, leading to massive water waste.
Policies diverting river flows to other regions or large agricultural projects have deprived wetlands of their water share, accelerating their degradation. Practices such as burning reeds and sugarcane fields also release large amounts of smoke and pollutants into the air.
Government attempts to combat desertification such as covering sand dunes have shown limited effectiveness and, in some cases, have contributed to the destruction of biodiversity.
Efforts to combat pollution also suffer from a clear lack of funding and weak implementation. In 2013, 18 representatives from Ahwaz submitted their resignations in protest over insufficient budget allocations to address the dust crisis.
At times, official positions have been marked by denial, with Iranian authorities attributing pollution to external sources such as Iraq, despite scientific evidence and official statements confirming that the majority of the problem stems from internal factors.
Health Impacts and Public Protests
The occupation’s environmental policies in Ahwaz have led to serious health consequences.
Thousands of Ahwazi citizens visit hospitals annually due to pollution-related illnesses. Estimates indicate that 1,624 deaths linked to air pollution were recorded in Ahwaz in just one year.
These conditions have sparked waves of public protests since 2016, under slogans such as “Air and water are our rights,” reflecting growing public anger toward environmental policies.
Although international sanctions have limited Tehran’s access to clean technology, experts emphasize that the primary cause of the crisis lies in occupation policies that prioritize Tehran’s interests over environmental sustainability.
In light of these factors, experts believe that resolving the crisis requires fundamental changes, including rehabilitating wetlands, ensuring sufficient water allocations, reducing reliance on gas flaring, and enforcing strict environmental standards on heavy industries.
As long as current conditions persist, the pollution crisis in Ahwaz remains not merely an environmental issue, but a multidimensional crisis affecting public health, the economy, and social stability making urgent action imperative.
