Iranian officials closed government offices, courts, schools and universities in Tehran after a severe sandstorm hit the capital, state media reported.
"The air pollution emergency committee of Tehran province has ordered the closure of all administrative offices and public educational centres today due to the spread of dust," state news agency IRNA said. Visibility was severely limited in Tehran, a city of more than eight million people.
The neighbouring province of Alborz, located west of the capital, also announced the closure of all offices, banks and scientific and educational centres, state television said. It reported an "increase in the concentration of atmospheric pollutants and dust" in the air. While the region has always been battered by sandstorms, dust clouds have become more frequent and intense in recent years. -- AFP
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