Examining the Legal Status of Environmental Law in Iran with Emphasis on Pollution in the Pars Special Economic Zone (South Pars)

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to examine the legal status of environmental law in Iran, with a particular emphasis on pollution in the Pars Special Economic Zone (South Pars). Considering the significance of human life and its direct correlation with environmental issues, environmental problems have become one of the greatest challenges of contemporary life. As a result, this issue has garnered attention from international organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and especially citizens. Findings indicate that gas and petrochemical industries in Asaluyeh emit various types of pollutants into the environment. Moreover, the presence of hazardous pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the coastal sediments of the South Pars region has been identified in multiple studies. In addition, research on marine organisms such as mollusks has shown extremely high and toxic concentrations of heavy metals including cadmium, lead, arsenic, strontium, tin, silver, antimony, and molybdenum. Other investigations have also revealed significantly elevated levels of heavy metals in the trees of the Asaluyeh area. Asaluyeh County, known as the beating heart of Iran's economy and the hub of the largest oil refineries and petrochemical industries, is regarded as the most prominent city in gas production in the country—an accomplishment that instills pride in every Iranian. Nevertheless, the refinery flares in the region, which also constitute one of the country’s main sources of income, have led to severe environmental pollution in the area.