Abstract— Atmospheric dust transport between Iraq and Iran is a complex, bi-directional phenomenon critically impacting major Iranian metropolitan areas, including Ahvaz, Shiraz, Tehran, and Mashhad. While Mesopotamian arid regions (Iraq) serve as the dominant external source for severe dust storms impacting the southwest (Ahvaz, Shiraz), with Iraqi sources accounting for over 55% of regional events, internal Iranian degradation significantly contributes to plumes affecting central and eastern regions like Tehran and Mashhad. This study emphasizes the overriding importance of Iraqi emissions; however, localized studies confirm that internal contributions exacerbate baseline pollution levels, particularly in areas like Mashhad where local mobilization plays an aggravating role. Integrating real-time tracking data confirms the critical linkage, demanding coordinated international emission control strategies focusing primarily on the primary source regions.

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