Baghdad (IP)- The head of Iran's Department of Environment traveled to Iraq on Saturday to review effective and immediate solutions to control fine dust pollution.

Iran PressMiddle East: The dust storm, which is the first product of Turkey's dam construction, has affected the skies of some of Iran and its western neighbors in recent days, including Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. 

Sandstorms and dust storms have killed scores of people in parts of Syria and Iraq and sent thousands to hospitals due to respiratory problems.

In Iran, some cities were closed due to dust.

According to a fine dust map on the Barcelona World Site, the recent dust mass first covered large parts of Iraq and Syria and then entered Iran. 

Western Iranian city of Kermanshah in haze

"Ali Salajegheh," the head of Iran's Department of Environment of Iran, stressed the need to implement the Iran-Iraq Memorandum of Understanding to prevent dust storms.

Iranian vice president met with Iraqi Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanmi in Baghdad, adding: "Historical events have shown that only countries in the region can help each other in crises."

The Iraqi Interior Minister also said a crisis in water, desertification, and food security in Iraq, adding: "The current Iraqi government, which is the government of progress, is trying to resolve environmental crises to serve the people." 

Selajgeh, Fuad Hussein hold press conference

After meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at a joint news conference on Sunday, Selajgeh said he had exchanged views with the Iraqi side on the dust storms. The Iranian Minister of Energy will travel to Iraq to further talks.

Fuad Hussein also said that he had exchanged views with the Vice President of Iran on climate change and water management.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister stated: "Climate change is not specific to one country but is a regional issue, and reciprocal meetings will be held between Iranian and Iraqi officials to discuss the dust, water and rivers."

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Iran's Environment chief arrives in Baghdad