Air pollution caused more than 40,000 deaths in Iran last year, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi revealed, marking a sharp rise of 10 to 12 percent compared to previous years.

“The majority of these deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases, strokes, respiratory issues, and cancers,” Raisi said in a Saturday interview.

He described the growing toll as a public health crisis, urging immediate action to improve air quality.

Air pollution in Iran has become a critical public health concern, particularly in major cities like Tehran, Ahvaz, and Isfahan. It is driven by factors such as high levels of vehicle emissions, industrial activities, reliance on low-quality fuel, and natural phenomena like dust storms.