Iran’s Press TV satellite channel reported that the storms packed winds of up to 60 mph (100 km/h), forcing stores and offices to shut down in the city of Zahak.

The channel said that the storms began on June 25, then battered about 80 villages across the region every day through early July.

Over 3,000 residents were admitted to clinics for treatment of respiratory ailments and allergies, which were brought on by the sandstorms.

When the MODIS sensor orbiting on NASA’s Terra satellite passed over the Persian Gulf region at midday on July 2, it captured the image to the right that shows the extent of the latest sandstorm stretching from central Iraq to southwestern Iran.

The thick layer of desert sand can even be seen masking the azure waters of the northern Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Sandstorms, or dust storms, are caused by strong, dry winds blowing across a desert in close proximity to the ground. Intense desert heat often creates strong convective currents, which often lift the sand off the desert floor and aloft for thousands of feet.

The combination of heat and an approaching cold front can create tornado-like circulations during sandstorms. The leading edge of such a storm often appears as a wall of dust, with visibility dropping to near zero behind the front.

Satellite Image: NASA's MODIS Rapid Response System
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