Iran Orders Government Office Closures Amid Severe Heatwave and Power Strain

Iran Orders Government Office Closures Amid Severe Heatwave and Power Strain
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Iranian authorities have mandated the closure or reduced working hours of government offices in at least 15 of the country’s 31 provinces to curb electricity consumption amid a severe heatwave, Arab News reported. The affected provinces include West Azerbaijan and Ardabil in the northwest, Hormozgan in the south, Alborz in the north, and the capital Tehran.

Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian said the decision was made at the request of the energy ministry to manage energy use in both the water and electricity sectors. Emergency and frontline services will continue to operate normally.

Since mid-July, soaring temperatures have strained Iran’s power grid, causing rolling blackouts nationwide. Southern regions have recorded temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F). The intense heat, combined with what Iranian media describe as the worst drought in a century, has also led authorities in Tehran to reduce mains water pressure to conserve dwindling reservoir levels.

This combination of extreme heat and drought is placing significant pressure on Iran’s infrastructure and resources, prompting government measures to mitigate the crisis.