Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
In recent days, speculation about a possible environmental threat has spread widely across social media and messaging platforms, raising concern among users in Central Asia. Posts claimed that, following strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, large amounts of harmful substances had been released into the atmosphere, potentially forming dangerous air masses capable of travelling long distances.
Earlier, Israeli officials said strikes had targeted around 30 oil storage tanks in Tehran. Fires reportedly broke out at several facilities, sending large plumes of smoke above the Iranian capital. Local reports also mentioned dark precipitation resembling acid rain after the attacks.
However, meteorological specialists say claims about so-called “acid clouds” moving towards Central Asia have no scientific basis.
According to Kazakhstan’s national hydrometeorological service, Kazhydromet, acid precipitation forms from sulphur and nitrogen oxides typically released by industrial activity, energy production and transport, usually close to the source of emissions.
“Acid precipitation forms close to emission sources. When air masses travel over long distances, the concentration of these substances decreases significantly due to natural atmospheric processes,” Kazhydromet told AnewZ.
Experts explain that as air masses move across large distances, pollutants disperse through atmospheric mixing and natural deposition, making the formation of hazardous acid precipitation thousands of kilometres away from the source extremely unlikely.
Monitoring data show no signs of such pollutants moving towards Kazakhstan or other countries in Central Asia.
Specialists are urging the public to rely on information from official meteorological and environmental services and to treat unverified claims circulating online with caution.
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at developing educational courses and training sessions for young parents.
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at developing educational courses and training sessions for young parents.
Kazakhstan has evacuated 8,585 citizens from Middle Eastern countries as regional tensions escalate. Authorities are coordinating air and land evacuations while analysts warn the crisis could reshape security and energy risks across the Caspian region.
The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens to gain political concessions and demanding the immediate release of detained Americans.
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