EghtesadOnline: Giant clouds of sand and dust particles swept across Iran and air pollution in the capital of Tehran soared to dangerous levels over the weekend as health officials warned against outdoor activities.

EghtesadOnline: A suffocating haze, consisting of dust and smoke particles, blanketed Tehran and forced 1,051 citizens to rush to medical centers on Saturday, Emergency Services Organization announced.

EghtesadOnline: More than 57% of the population of 80 million is affected by the impact of dust storms, secretary of the Technology Development Council of Water, Drought, Erosion and Environment said.