Iranian public holidays to reduce pollution

The authorities have declared a two-day public holiday in Tehran and other cities in an attempt to reduce dangerous levels of air pollution.

The capital will all but shut down today and tomorrow as public offices, banks, schools and universities close. Cars are already only being allowed on the roads on alternate days.

Tehran has been experiencing alarming levels of air pollution for more than a week and officials made last Wednesday a public holiday in their first attempt to tackle the problem.