According to the head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization, Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding and will be signing another one with Iraq. The memorandum is to address the problems caused by particle pollution that has been plaguing the Middle East.

The IEPO chief, Ali Salajeqeh, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting, pointed to his visits to the two countries, where the visits aimed to launch collective initiatives to deal with the environmental dilemma of dust pollution and sand storms, which have polluted the Middle East.

The first stage of a pilot scheme will take place in Deir Ez-Zor, eastern Syria's largest city, where dust pollution will be dealt with.

Salajeqeh noted that he held extensive talks with the Iraqi prime minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, the minister of environment, foreign minister, minister of interior, minister of agriculture, and minister of water resources. All of the Iraqi officials hailed Tehran's initiative for collective action against particle pollution.

This comes at a time when sandstorms have affected the region in recent weeks, including parts of Iraq, Syria, and Iran. The sandstorms have sent people to hospitals and disrupted airlines.

Dust storm in Iraq paints skies orange

In April, a dust storm blanketed Iraq, sending people to the hospital due to breathing difficulties. Airports, in response, suspended flights. 

The storm came after a similar one the week before which also left scores hospitalized with respiratory problems. 

The skies of Baghdad were painted orange, restricting vision as buildings and cars were covered in dust. The dust was so abundant that civilians had to wear disposable masks to avoid inhaling particles. 

"People have been hospitalized with breathing difficulties, but most cases are minor," Health Ministry Spokesperson Saif Al-Badr told AFP. 

Flights by the dozens were also canceled or postponed in Baghdad and Najaf. Flights were then resumed back to normal in the afternoon after the weather improved, according to sources from the airport.