Iran has ordered the closure of schools and public offices in a third of its provinces, including Tehran, on Saturday, as fuel shortages continue to affect several power plants.
Although Iran has vast oil and gas reserves, the country has had to ration electricity in recent months. Sub-zero temperatures have caused a surge in demand that the country’s ageing power plants have struggled to meet.
The closures, announced on Friday, will affect key regions, including Tehran, the city of Qom, known for its Shia Muslim shrines, as well as Kurdistan, Mazandaran, and Ardabil along the Caspian coast. The government made the decision “due to the cold and to manage electricity consumption,” according to the official IRNA news agency.
Iran experienced similar disruptions at the end of last year when power outages affected homes and businesses. In November, rolling blackouts caused widespread darkness, and in December, government offices in Tehran closed for four consecutive days. Schools also remained shut across more than half the country during that period.
The ongoing crisis occurs amid rising geopolitical tensions, as Iran prepares for the potential re-imposition of economic sanctions and an increase in military pressure under a second Trump administration. These developments could lead to stricter measures against Iran’s nuclear programme.
In response to these concerns, some analysts have speculated about the future of Iran’s government, with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggesting that the system might be nearing its end.
In preparation for further challenges, Iran has started large-scale military drills, which will continue until March. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that these exercises aim to address “new security threats.”