Iran is a land of striking contrasts, forming one of the richest ecological mosaics in the Middle East. Yet today, this natural heritage is undergoing one of the steepest environmental declines in the region. The country is experiencing a continuous, deepening ecological emergency—one that threatens public health, biodiversity, and long-term stability across the Middle East.
Tehran #1 polluted city in the world
In recent weeks, Tehran has again been classified among the most polluted cities on the planet, with air quality indices repeatedly reaching hazardous levels. More than 10 million people breathe this toxic air daily.
The most alarming figure comes from health assessments inside Iran itself: Air pollution kills an estimated 50,000 people every year in Iran.
The main drivers include:
- aging and high-emission vehicle fleets,
- reliance on low-quality fossil fuels,
- unregulated industrial emissions,
- weak environmental governance,
- and the absence of large-scale public transport investment.
For many families, air pollution is a daily struggle with respiratory illness, asthma, and reduced life expectancy.
Suggested source: World Air Quality Data: https://www.iqair.com
Hyrcanian forests: a 40-million-year-old heritage on fire
While pollution chokes Iran’s major cities, the northern mountain ranges face another catastrophe: recurring wildfires in the ancient Hyrcanian forests, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back more than 40 million years.
Recent fires—including those near Chalous and Mazandaran—destroyed significant forest areas and exposed the fragility of this ecosystem. Climate change, prolonged drought, insufficient firefighting infrastructure, and land-use pressures all combine to increase the frequency and severity of these fires.
These forests are home to rare species, including the Persian leopard, Brown bear, and endemic plant species found nowhere else on earth. Every hectare lost represents irreversible ecological damage.
Suggested link: UNESCO Hyrcanian Forests: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1584
Disappearing forests and fragile ecosystems
Iran has long been considered a “limited forest country.” Studies show that parts of the Hyrcanian region have undergone degradation over the past two decades, driven by:
- land-use change,
- infrastructure expansion,
- unsustainable logging,
- poor erosion control,
- and climate-related stress.
Scientific assessments by Iran’s Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands have found tens of thousands of hectares shifting from dense forest to degraded land in the last 15–20 years.
Suggested source: Global Forest Watch: https://www.globalforestwatch.org
Soil erosion, water stress, and vanishing rivers
Beyond forests, Iran faces one of the world’s highest rates of soil erosion. This is the result of overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, many of the country’s iconic rivers and lakes have shrunk dramatically:
- Lake Urmia, once the Middle East’s largest salt lake, has lost most of its water.
- Zayandeh-Rud in Isfahan often runs dry for months.
- Wetlands in Khuzestan and Sistan-Baluchestan face severe ecological collapse.
These declines fuel sandstorms, force internal migration, damage agriculture, and reduce regional stability.
Suggested source: UN Environment Programme (UNEP): https://www.unep.org
Biodiversity under threat
ran hosts more than 1,100 recorded vertebrate species. But habitat loss, reduced water availability, illegal hunting, and fires have pushed several species toward severe risk, including the Persian leopard, Asiatic cheetah, and Caspian seal. Without strong protective measures, some of these species may disappear permanently.
Why this should matter to the international community including Switzerland ?
Iran’s environmental crisis is not only a national issue; it carries regional and global implications:
- Dust storms originating in Iran affect neighboring countries.
- Loss of biodiversity impacts global conservation efforts.
- Rising temperatures and reduced water security contribute to migration pressures.
- Public health crises such as air pollution undermine regional stability and development.
From a Swiss perspective—committed to ecological responsibility—Iran’s situation is a reminder that environmental collapse anywhere affects communities everywhere.
Towards transparency and environmental protection
One of the main challenges for researchers and international observers is the limited availability of transparent, up-to-date environmental data inside Iran. Strengthening access to information, scientific cooperation, and independent monitoring will be crucial steps for meaningful environmental protection. Ecological protection begins with visibility, data, and public demand for accountability.
Call to action: support environmental documentation
This article is part of Welle’s ongoing effort to document human and environmental challenges affecting communities in and around Iran.
Support Verein Welle in our mission to highlight Iran’s environmental crisis. Share this report to pressure the regime for greater transparency and action on public health and ecological protection.
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