Director-General of Khuzestan province Department of Environment Kazem Sepehrfar on Wednesday predicted the possible black acidic rainfalls across the province, following the gustly wind in Ahvaz, IRNA reported.

He told IRNA that according to Khuzestan Meteorological Department, the windblow originated from the Saudi Arabian desert area and a low weather front suspending over eastern Iraq.

"The gustly wind consisting of heavy hydrocarbons and circular compounds mainly account for the acid rainfalls, while a mixture of the gases resulting from Iraq's burning oil wells and dust have penetrated Iran's air space.

Sepehrfahr noted that the black rain can severely pollute the water ecosystems, damage the air-generating micro-organisms in the soil, reduce the fertility of the agricultural lands and interfere with the growth of the planted seeds.

The environmental official also referred to the circular compounds of the acidic rain as the main cause for the air pollution and a threat against the human health and the early death of the patients.

Referring to the crisis created by the United States and its allies, whose effect is evident in the region and the entire world, he called for further attention of those who have ignited the flames of war to environmental issues and precautionary measures to control the air pollution.

"If acid rains start pouring down, nothing can certainly be done about it, unless a torrential rain will end up in flood to wash away the polluted air," he added.

The official from Khuzestan province Meteorological Department, Kourosh Bahadori, said that gustly winds, which might blow at a maximum speed of 60 kms per hour in some areas, are among the consequences of the weather front arriving in southwestern Iran, specially Khuzestan province.

"Gustly winds will be followed by the gradual transfer of the Persian Gulf humidity, which will end up in sporadic haze and rain," he said.

Bahadori added that the forecast weather conditions will continue until late Wednesday.

The gustly wind in Abadan, which heavily damaged the trees and infrastructural installations on Tuesday night, blew at 80 kms/hr.

Iran's Red Crescent Society concerned over loss of lives in Iraq

The Human Rights Committee of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, in a statement issued here on Wednesday, expressed concern over the loss of human lives in Iraq.

Referring to news coverage of war in the past six days, the statement reiterated that the US military operations are aimed at inflicting great loss to civilian lives lives rather than to those of the military.

As to the situation in the city of Basra, the statement said that due to destruction of the city's infrastructures and the dead bodies in streets and public places, according to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Amnesty International and the Human Rights Organization the city is on the verge of a human catastrophe.

The statement urged the belligerent sides to respect the rights of Iraqi civilians and the Geneva convention.

Iran and Russia warn of 'humanitarian tragedy'

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi on Wednesday held telephone conversations in which the two warned against an unfolding 'humanitarian tragedy' in Iraq as a result of the US-led invasion.

"The signs of humanitarian tragedy are emerging," Kharrazi said.

Ivanov said 'Moscow's views conform with those of Tehran and the (Persian Gulf) region now is on the brink of a humanitarian and ecological disaster and America must accept responsibility for (the unfolding tragedy in) the occupied regions'.

The Iranian minister also expressed concern over the 'massive invasion' launched by the coalition forces, saying 'American troops may resort to every possible means since it is very embarrassing for them to see they are halted (by the Iraqi resistance)'.

"The Security Council must effectively intervene to prevent the continuation of this unequal war," Kharrazi said.

"Najaf and Basra (in southern Iraq) are under the fire of the aggressors and attacks on Iraqi citizens have caused heavy losses and must be immediately halted," he added.

Ivanov said 'it is important to work with the media and present accurate information (about the ongoing war) in order to enlighten the world public opinion about the truth so that the invading forces cannot go ahead with their aggression through blackouts'.

Both Iran and Russia are staunchly opposed to the US-led war.

The Islamic Republic has strongly condemned the invasion but the country which fought an imposed war between 1980 and 1988 with Iraq -- then a close American ally -- has taken a position of 'active neutrality' and reiterated that it will not back one side or another in the US-led war.

Families of imposed war victims stage anti-war rally in Tehran

Hundreds of families of victims of the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988 on Wednesday staged an anti-war rally in front of the UN Office in Tehran.

The demonstrators, families of those killed and wounded in the war from Tehran, denounced the US-British campaign against Iraq, and voiced support for the Iraqi nation.

They also criticized the UN for keeping mum on the ongoing conflict in the region, and regretted that this shows that the UN endorses the atrocities of the US and Britain in Iraq.

The demonstrators were carrying placards criticizing the UN for supporting the US President George W Bush and demanding that the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan resign.

The two-hour rally started at 10:00 am local time (05:30 GMT).