Iran official accuses Israel of 'stealing clouds' and 'manipulating weather'

He cited a survey in which it was shown that above 2,200 metres all mountainous areas between Afghanistan and the Mediterranean are covered with snow except Iran.

File Image/ An aerial view taken from a plane shows clouds moving through the snow-covered peaks of the Alborz mountains in northern Iran, on October 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP PHOTO / YASSER AL-ZAYYAT

New Delhi: Iran’s Civil Defence Organisation head has raised eyebrows with an unusual allegation on the rival country Israel. On Monday while addressing a press conference the Iranian general accused Israel of stealing its clouds. As per reports Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali accused Israel of ‘manipulating weather ‘to prevent rain over the Islamic republic. He alleged that the country was facing cloud theft. The country’s weather chief has however refuted the claims made by him. The general said that foreign interference is suspected to have played a role in climate change in Iran, ISNA news agency reported. He said that Israel and another country have teams which target the clouds entering Iran. They work to ensure that these clouds are not able to release rain. He cited a survey in which it was shown that above 2,200 metres all mountainous areas between Afghanistan and the Mediterranean are covered with snow except Iran. Added to these, Jalani said that the country was facing the issue of 'cloud and snow theft'. However, the head of Iran’s meteorological service has reportedly denied the claims and has said that on the basis of meteorological knowledge, it is not possible for a country to steal snow or clouds.