High air pollution forces Iran to declare holiday, close offices in Tehran

TEHRAN, Iran - State television says a government committee late Monday decided the pollution levels warranted the closure of all government and private offices, as well as schools and industries on Wednesday because of "polluted and unhealthy" weather.

The report says pollution levels rose earlier this week and are expected to peak on Wednesday. Thursday is a religious holiday in Iran, followed by the start of the Muslim weekend on Friday.

Critics say each holiday incurs about $130 million in financial losses.

Iran occasionally announces holidays and traffic restrictions over pollution. Health experts say many Iranians suffer from pollution related ailments.

The Associated Press