The Impact of Sanctions on Air Pollution in Iran from the Perspective of International Law

Background and Aim: Economic sanctions can be defined as coercive economic measures against one or more countries in order to change the policies of the country targeted by the sanctions or at least expressing the views of the sanctioned country against the sanctioned. One of the most important issues to consider in imposing sanctions is the environment. According to some, the sanctions imposed on Iran in recent years have included only the economic and political spheres of the country; However, by knowing the scope of the sanctions, one can understand the far-reaching consequences of the sanctions and their effects on the environment, especially air pollution.Methods: In this article, descriptive-analytical method has been used.Findings: Economic sanctions due to reduction of government foreign exchange earnings due to restrictions on oil sales and foreign investment, granting of facilities of the World Environment Fund, transfer of environmental technologies and production of gasoline in domestic refineries due to restrictions on gasoline imports to the country and the deprivation of Iranian students studying abroad, has caused air pollution.Discussion and Conclusion: Since sanctions cause collective punishment and pressure on the whole society and considering the consequences of sanctions for the environment and especially air pollution and related issues such as health, with the life of the entire Iranian society It is incompatible with internationally accepted legal principles and obligations.