A layer of snow blankets Tehran as seen from the Tochal mountain resort, on February 9, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
Iran has shut down schools and government offices in Tehran and more than 20 provinces as freezing temperatures grip the country, local media reported on Wednesday.
Despite possessing vast oil and gas reserves, the country is struggling with power shortages, exacerbated by the increased demand for heating during winter. The decision to close public institutions was aimed at conserving energy, according to the Mehr News Agency.
The affected provinces include Alborz, Fars, Hamadan, Isfahan, Kurdistan, and Yazd. On Tuesday night, several districts in Tehran experienced power outages, with state television attributing the disruption to gas supply issues at power plants.
Iran’s national electricity company, Tavanir, has urged citizens to reduce their gas and electricity consumption by at least 10% to ease pressure on the power grid.
The cold wave has plunged temperatures to as low as -19°C (-2.2°F) in Hamadan, making it the coldest provincial capital. Weather forecasts predict heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in multiple regions, with 60 villages in the Zagros mountains currently cut off due to snow. Authorities have begun airlifting essential supplies to affected areas.
Similar restrictions on energy use were imposed last Saturday as Iran continues to struggle with winter-related power challenges.
