Iran tells UN: 8 million hectares of land in Iraq are hotspots of dust storms

“Estimates indicate that approximately 2.5 million hectares of hotspots are located within Iran while Iraq alone has an estimated hotspots of about 8 million hectares topped with similar order of magnitude from other states in and around the Persian Gulf region,” the letter, co-written by Iran’s Department of Environment Chief Masoumeh Ebtekar and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated.

The two Iranian officials asked the international body to help Iran to control heavy dust storms.

Dust storms and unhealthful levels of air pollution in southern Khuzestan province is causing serious disturbance to the local residents and has lately sparked protests in the region.

The dust storms are believed to originate from hotspots- mostly totally dried up wetlands- located in Iraq and Iran. Years of mismanagement, shortsightedness, inefficient and unsustainable exploitation of the resources, and war have contributed to the wetlands dryness.

Iran does have a National Plan to tackle this multi-sectoral yet complex environmental challenge, which has immense dimensions. Estimates indicate that approximately 2.5 million hectares of hotspots are located within Iran while Iraq alone has an estimated hotspots of about 8 million hectares topped with similar order of magnitude from other states in and around the Persian Gulf region.

Due to the vast health, environmental, economic and social impacts and urgency to respond, we propose that you urgently establish a dedicated "Task Force" comprised of regional states and designate competent officers to address the matter.

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