New Delhi: Even after recent missile strikes and fires at oil facilities, air quality in Tehran has remained better than in New Delhi and Mumbai, according to the latest monitoring data. On Wednesday, Tehran’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 71, falling in the “satisfactory” category. In contrast, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 192 on Tuesday, placing it in the “moderate” category and close to slipping into “poor.”
Mumbai, meanwhile, also reported AQI levels above 100, indicating moderate pollution.
Missile Strikes, Fires Fail to Worsen Tehran Air
The comparison comes at a time when Tehran has witnessed missile attacks targeting fuel depots and refineries, leading to large fires and thick smoke in parts of the city. Some areas even reported oily “black rain,” believed to be caused by soot and hydrocarbons released from burning oil infrastructure.
Despite these pollution-triggering incidents, AQI levels in Tehran have largely remained between 50 and 70, categorised as good to moderate.
Delhi Pollution Remains Persistent
Experts say Delhi’s air pollution problem is chronic and driven by multiple local factors, including vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial activity, and stubble burning in nearby states. Weather conditions over the Indo-Gangetic plain further worsen the situation by trapping pollutants for extended periods, making the problem persistent rather than temporary.
Recent data shows Delhi’s AQI ranging between 110 and 128 in recent days, placing it in the moderate to poor category, significantly worse than Tehran.
Global Report Highlights Delhi Crisis
According to the World Air Quality Report 2025 released by IQAir, New Delhi remained the world’s most polluted capital for the eighth consecutive year. The report found that the city recorded an annual PM2.5 concentration of 82.2 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 16 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
When considering the wider National Capital Territory, Delhi’s PM2.5 level rose to 99.6 micrograms per cubic metre, making it one of the most polluted urban regions globally.
The findings underline a stark contrast: even short-term environmental damage from conflict-related incidents in Tehran has not pushed its pollution levels beyond those seen regularly in Delhi and Mumbai.
