In an unprecedented move, the Iranian regime declared Thursday, July 11, a public holiday in 15 provinces to manage widespread power outages caused by the regime’s mismanagement and exploitative policies. This measure aims to prevent a nationwide blackout, according to the state-run news site Entekhab. The affected provinces include Semnan, Zanjan, Khuzestan, Qom, Bushehr, Markazi, Isfahan, Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kerman, South Khorasan, Lorestan, Qazvin, and Alborz.
The frequent power cuts are part of a broader energy crisis that has been escalating over the years. Residents and businesses across various cities have been severely impacted, with daily life and economic activities disrupted.
In Tehran, power cuts have been reported daily at noon for at least two hours in certain neighborhoods of District 6 since last Friday. Residential areas in Districts 2 and 5 have also experienced scheduled outages. Suburban residents around Tehran have faced similar issues, with some reporting interruptions in their water supply during the power cuts.
A local business owner in Tehran’s market area expressed frustration, stating, “The power cuts are so frequent that businesses are only able to operate three or four days a week. Now, with the summer heat, the power goes out completely.”
#Iran News in Brief
While #Iranians struggle wit power outages& high fuel prices, Ebrahim Raisi told Pakistani FM: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has the necessary capacity to meet #Pakistan’s needs in various fields, including oil, gas, and electricity.”https://t.co/UC49CMzRZK pic.twitter.com/NVeA9gzjMn
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 15, 2022
In Kashan, central Iran, a barber reported multiple power cuts in a single day, severely impacting his business. “Everyone is just sitting here. We’ve had five power cuts since this morning. There’s no response to our complaints,” he said.
Residents in Golestan, northern Iran, are facing up to 16-hour power cuts daily. One resident lamented, “Everyone here pays high rents, but the power keeps getting cut during peak business hours. When we go to the electricity office, they say it’s due to high consumption.”
In Zarand, Kerman, southeast Iran, some areas are left without water or power during the day, despite the existence of two power plants in the region. This situation has created significant challenges for the local population.
Following multiple power outages, Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, CEO of Tavanir, Iran’s power distribution company, denied any power shortages, attributing the outages to equipment failures caused by extreme heat. He told ISNA news agency, “In summer, due to increased consumption and exposure of equipment to sunlight and heat, the likelihood of failure increases, leading to outages. Our teams are working swiftly to address these issues.”
However, energy expert Hashem Oraei warned that the country is on the brink of a severe energy crisis. “If urgent action is not taken, we will face a crisis in all energy carriers within the next five years. Last year, we had a deficit of 12,000 megawatts, which has increased to 18,000 megawatts this year. At this rate, we will face a 24,000-megawatt deficit next year,” he explained.
Iran: Protest In Eslamshahr With The Slogan Of “Death To The Dictator”
After an eight-hour power outage in the town of Vavan in Eslamshahr (near Tehran), people took to the streets chanting “Death to the dictator,” #Iran #IranProtests https://t.co/W325oiARTZ— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 15, 2021
To manage the crisis, the government has implemented measures to reduce electricity consumption. This includes the closure of government offices and schools and banning the use of air conditioners during peak hours. The state-run Shargh newspaper highlighted these measures as part of the broader effort to tackle the electricity shortage.
However, public frustration continues to mount. Earlier, the CEO of the Greater Tehran Power Distribution Company announced that electricity had been cut off in 160 high-consumption government offices in the capital for failing to cooperate in reducing power consumption.
The Iranian regime’s decision to close offices in 15 provinces underscores the severity of the country’s energy crisis. As the regime fails to manage increasing consumption and equipment failures while exporting the nation’s power and oil to other countries, the public bears the brunt of this mismanagement. This only fuels the anger of the populace and strengthens their resolve for transformative change.
