Home Blog Page 75

The Real Price of Electricity for Industries in Iran Has Increased Up To 30 Times

Esmaeil Mohades
-
0
The Real Price of Electricity for Industries in Iran Has Increased Up To 30 Times

The results of a study show that the real price of electricity for industries in Iran is up to seven times higher than the official rates. Between 2018 and 2025, the official price of industrial electricity rose about 12 times, while in practice the real increase has been around 30 times.

According to a study by the Institute for Trade Studies and Research, published on Sunday, August 24, in the current conditions of the country, industrial electricity bills include not only the base rate but also additional costs such as obligations under Article 16, non-green electricity purchases, fuel price differences, and transit costs.

Unprecedented Energy Crisis and Government’s Inability Force Shutdowns in 27 Provinces in Iran

These additional charges ultimately increase the electricity cost up to seven times the base rate.

A review of changes in industrial electricity rates between 2018 and 2025 shows that over six years, while the base price rose 12 times, the actual increase has been about 30 times.

Meanwhile, contrary to the Iranian regime officials’ frequent claims that electricity prices in Iran are lower than in other countries, the study shows that the average price of one kilowatt-hour for energy-intensive industries in the Persian Gulf countries is 4.3 cents, while for Iran it is set at 11.86 cents. In other words, the electricity price for energy-intensive industries in Iran is nearly three times higher than the regional average.

Between 2018 and 2025, industrial electricity prices increased by 3.7% in India, 19% in Turkey, and remained unchanged in the United Arab Emirates. But in Iran, the official increase in industrial electricity prices reached 1,223%.

The domino effect of industrial electricity, from factories to markets and workers’ livelihoods

The shock from this severe price hike, along with frequent power outages, has affected the final prices of industrial products. For instance, in June 2025, cement prices in the Iranian market rose by up to 228% compared to the previous year due to production halts in manufacturing units.

Industrial sector representatives have warned that due to widespread power outages starting in May, steel production in 2025 is expected to decline by 33%.

The electricity crisis in industries has created a domino effect on other sectors as well. On August 1, Mahmoud Najafi-Arab, head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, said: “Electricity in industrial units is cut off three days a week, and despite having assets, including human resources, we cannot achieve the necessary productivity from the industry.”

In these conditions, labor activists across different provinces have warned about the collapse of workers’ livelihoods following the closure or partial shutdown of industrial units.

According to them, reduced shifts, the elimination of production bonuses, and the possibility of layoffs have put the lives of thousands of workers at risk.

Akbar Showkat, executive secretary of the Workers’ House in Qom province, stated that some industrial towns in this province are without electricity for up to two days a week, and reduced shifts have led to lower wages for workers.

Australia Closes Embassy in Tehran and Expels Iranian Regime Ambassador

Hoshang Amiri
-
0
Australia Closes Embassy in Tehran and Expels Iranian Regime Ambassador

The Prime Minister of Australia announced that after confirming the Iranian regime’s role in at least two antisemitic attacks, Australia expelled the regime’s ambassador, suspended the operations of its embassy in Tehran, and intends to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

On the morning of Tuesday, August 26, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), attended a press conference at the country’s parliament and stated that the Iranian regime had directed at least two attacks against Australia’s Jewish community.

He described the two “terrorist attacks” on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and the Louis Continental restaurant in Sydney as “extraordinary and dangerous aggressions” and said that the Iranian regime had likely carried out more attacks on Australian soil.

He called the Iranian regime’s terrorist actions an attempt to destroy social cohesion and sow division in Australian society, adding that his government would take immediate and decisive measures in response to these subversive acts.

The Australian Prime Minister also announced that Australia’s embassy in Tehran had been closed, and all Australian diplomats previously stationed there had now left Iran and were safe in a third country.

The Iranian regime’s ambassador is the first ambassador expelled from Australia since World War II.

The Australian Foreign Minister announced that Iranian regime officials have seven days to leave Australia.

Penny Wong said that there was no doubt these extraordinarily dangerous and aggressive actions had crossed all red lines, and therefore, Australia has declared the Iranian regime’s ambassador in Australia a persona non grata.

Wong added that this was the first time since World War II that an ambassador had been expelled from Australia, and the reason was Iran’s completely unacceptable conduct.

The Foreign Minister described Australia’s embassy in Iran as a channel for pursuing national interests and protecting Australian citizens but added that the government had now decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and suspend embassy operations in order to safeguard its diplomats and protect Australia’s border security.

Use of proxy groups for sabotage in Australia

Mike Burgess, Director-General of ASIO, said that the IRGC had used a “sophisticated network of proxy groups” to conceal its role in antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.

He added that he did not believe the Iranian regime was responsible for all antisemitic attacks in Australia but said it might be responsible for more than the two announced that day.

He also called the Iranian regime’s actions “completely unacceptable,” adding that they endangered lives, terrorized society, and targeted Australia’s social fabric. He said that the Iranian regime and its proxies, both literally and figuratively, lit the matches and stoked the flames.

In an interview with ABC Australia, the ASIO chief confirmed that the Iranian regime was among “at least three or four” countries involved in foreign interference in migrant communities in Australia.

The ASIO chief said that publicly naming all the countries interfering in Australia would shock the public.

He added that since a federal minister had already confirmed the Iranian regime’s involvement, Tehran’s role had become public.

Burgess did not name the other countries but warned that if the threat posed a serious danger to Australians, their names would be disclosed.

Last month, the Australian federal government unveiled plans to introduce several new measures to combat the growing threat of foreign interference.

These plans include making permanent the task force established four years ago to counter foreign interference, which has since expanded to agencies such as the Australian Taxation Office.

Ecological Collapse of Lake Urmia and the Caspian Sea in Iran

Mehdi Hosseini
-
0
Ecological Collapse of Lake Urmia and the Caspian Sea in Iran

Wetlands and lakes in Iran have long faced the threat of drying up. The Caspian Sea (the world’s largest lake) is under water shortage stress, while Lake Urmia, once the world’s largest saltwater lake, is now on the verge of total desiccation.

According to the state-run Khabar Online website, Iran is simultaneously facing two major water crises: Lake Urmia, which experts say is “practically dead” and only a few days away from complete evaporation, and the Caspian Sea, where the alarming decline in water levels poses a serious warning for Iran’s northern coastline.

The report notes that Lake Urmia, once one of the world’s largest salt lakes, now contains only about 100 million cubic meters of saline water spread across roughly 200 square kilometers, with a depth of less than half a meter. Isa Kalantari, former head of Iran’s regime Environmental Protection Organization, described the situation as “catastrophic” and warned that the lake would completely evaporate within 20 days.

Complete Drying of Lake Urmia by the End of Summer Is Certain

Kalantari pointed to excessive dam construction, unsustainable agricultural expansion, and failure to allocate environmental water rights as the main causes of the lake’s destruction. He warned that with the complete drying of Urmia, its 13-billion-ton salt bed would turn into a source of toxic dust, threatening the health of the people of Azerbaijan in terms of respiratory, sanitary, and genetic risks.

Meanwhile, in northern Iran, the Caspian Sea is also in a concerning state. Sergei Shipulin, an official from Russia’s Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institute, announced that the Caspian’s water level has been steadily declining since 2015, and this year it will reach its lowest recorded point in decades. He predicted that by the end of this year, the Caspian water level will drop by 20 to 30 centimeters, and if the trend continues, a one-meter decline by 2030 is likely.

The Russian official also warned that the Caspian littoral states, including Iran, must take measures to adapt to declining water levels, as the southern shores and shallow northern areas are at the greatest risk.

According to experts, the two water bodies that once symbolized life and national pride in Iran now stand on the brink of ecological collapse — the result of decades of neglecting sustainable development, destruction of natural resources, and disregard for environmental priorities.

Continuing warnings about the consequences of Iran’s water crisis, Ghorbanali Mohammadpour, Director-General of the Environmental Protection Department in Alborz Province, announced the unprecedented drying of the Salehiyeh wetland, saying it has now become an active source of dust storms affecting Karaj and even Tehran. He also reported land subsidence in the wetland area and in Mehrshahr, Karaj, stressing that Alborz can no longer sustain water-intensive industries or flood irrigation agriculture. He called for an immediate change in consumption patterns and the implementation of water recycling programs. According to this environmental official, continued neglect of these warnings could intensify environmental, health, and even social crises in one of the most densely populated provinces of the country.

The water crisis in Iran and its impact on people’s lives

The water crisis in Iran has long gone beyond being an environmental issue, becoming a widespread crisis with economic, social, health, and security dimensions. According to official statistics, more than 70% of Iran’s renewable water resources have been consumed or lost, and most of the country’s watersheds face resource deficits. In recent years, this problem has been exacerbated by persistent droughts, rising average annual temperatures, reduced rainfall, and excessive extraction from groundwater resources.

One of the most significant consequences of this crisis is environmental migration. Many families, due to dried wells, farmland loss, and the collapse of their livelihoods, have been forced to abandon villages and small towns. This forced migration has not only placed pressure on urban infrastructure but has also triggered social tensions and increased unemployment rates in the host areas.

Furthermore, the decline in groundwater levels and land subsidence has now become a chronic problem in many plains across Iran, particularly in provinces such as Tehran, Isfahan, Kerman, and Hamedan. This phenomenon poses a serious threat not only to vital infrastructure (such as metro lines, roads, and buildings) but also to food security, since Iranian agriculture is heavily dependent on groundwater resources.

Alongside these issues, the crisis of lakes and wetlands has further deepened the problem. The drying up of lakes such as Hamun, Bakhtegan, Gavkhuni, Maharloo, and now Urmia has not only destroyed biodiversity and local ecosystems but also severely disrupted the lives of millions of people living around these water bodies.

Experts have repeatedly warned in recent years that these crises are so deeply interconnected that they require a fundamental overhaul of Iran’s water policies, sustainable development strategies, and environmental approaches. Otherwise, the country’s future may be tied to dryness, poverty, migration, and social and political instability.

Rising Dollar Rate and Stock Market Decline in Iran

Esmaeil Mohades
-
0
Rising Dollar Rate and Stock Market Decline in Iran

The US dollar exchange rate in Iran’s free market surpassed 960,000 rials. By the close of trading on Monday, August 25, the main stock index dropped by 33,000 points, and 6.56 trillion rials (about 68 million USD) flowed out of the stock market.

On Monday, August 25, the foreign exchange market experienced about a 1% increase in the dollar rate compared to the previous day.

On July 31, coinciding with the implementation of new US sanctions and growing speculation that Europe might trigger the snapback mechanism, the dollar rate in Iran’s free market rose again after several weeks, reaching 906,500 rials.

United Kingdom Sanctions Companies Affiliated With Iran’s Regime

The stock exchange also saw its fourth consecutive day of decline, with the main index falling by 1.33%.

The stock index dropped by about 33,000 points, returning to 2,438,000 units.

Economic media in Iran reported that this was the lowest level of the stock index so far this year.

According to these reports, 6.57 trillion rials (about 68 million USD) in retail money was withdrawn from trading in stocks, preemptive rights, and equity funds.

The value of retail trades reached 30.83 trillion rials (about 321 million USD).

On Monday, August 25, 88% of stock market symbols closed in negative territory, while only 12% remained in positive territory.

With the Tehran Stock Exchange’s retreat that day, the market’s return since the beginning of the year reached -10%. Over the past three months, the value of Iran’s stock market has dropped by about 35%.

Some economic experts believe that the stock market collapse, alongside the rising value of the dollar and gold, is not only due to sanctions but also stems from “public concerns about the country’s political outlook and reduced currency supply in the market.”

Iran Ranks 95th In Global Internet Quality; Higher Costs, Lower Speeds

Mehdi Hosseini
-
0
Iran Ranks 95th In Global Internet Quality; Higher Costs, Lower Speeds

The state-run Shargh daily wrote: “By ranking 95th, Iran has the worst internet quality among the top 100 GDP countries,” placing it lower than countries such as Sudan, Congo, and Ethiopia.

According to Shargh: “By ranking 95th, Iran has the worst internet quality among the top 100 GDP countries, meaning the world’s largest economies.”
The report states that Iran’s internet experience is only better than in countries such as Cuba, Turkmenistan, Sudan, and Ethiopia, a situation that places Iran alongside war-torn and underdeveloped nations.
This decline in quality is a direct result of entrenched corruption and regime policies that sacrifice citizens’ free access in favor of control and censorship.

Approval of Accelerated Implementation of Class-Based Internet in Iran

In the winter of 2023, the Ministry of Communications raised internet tariffs by 30% with promises of improved quality, but Shargh emphasized that the quality “not only did not improve but actually got worse.”

Shargh reminded that in the winter of 2023, the Ministry of Communications raised tariffs by 30% with a commitment to improve quality. However, “in practice, quality did not change noticeably and even got worse,” leaving the gap between “higher prices” and “lower quality” intact.
This trend shows that the cost increases only served to fill the pockets of telecom operators and networks tied to the regime’s power structure, not for infrastructure development. The judiciary, through silence and inaction, has paved the way for the continuation of this cycle of corruption and profiteering.

Experts say the roots of the internet crisis lie not in tariffs but in filtering and restrictive regime policies— a clear example of structural corruption and lack of accountability from the judiciary and government.

Experts interviewed by Shargh stressed that the internet crisis stems more from restrictive policies and filtering than tariffs: “What seriously affects both internet quality and operators’ revenue is the imposition of restrictions and filtering on the network.”
Restrictions imposed by security and regime institutions have not only disrupted people’s lives and businesses but have also driven the telecommunications industry to the brink of collapse.
This clear picture of structural corruption once again shows how national interests and people’s well-being have been sacrificed to a network of profiteering, censorship, and a corrupt judiciary.

Iran’s “No To Execution Tuesdays” Campaign Marks 83rd Week in 50 Prisons

Jubin Katiraie
-
0
Iran’s “No To Execution Tuesdays” Campaign Marks 83rd Week in 50 Prisons

On Tuesday, August 26, prisoners in 50 prisons across the country went on hunger strike as part of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign, protesting against the widespread executions in Iran.

This week, with the prisoners of Dehdasht joining the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign, the number of participating prisons increased to 50.

Political prisoners participating in this campaign called on all international institutions and human rights activists to echo the Iranian people’s protest against executions.

The full statement of the prisoners participating this week is as follows:

In Iran under the rule of the Supreme Leader, the execution machine continues to ruthlessly claim victims. Between July 23 and August 22 alone, 166 people were hanged; and in the past week, 31 of our compatriots, including one woman, were executed. Two of the victims were publicly hanged in Kordkuy and Beyrom in Larestan. The execution-driven government seeks to humiliate and normalize violence, plunging society into fear.

Rise In Executions in Iran; Ten Prisoners Hanged in One Day

According to reports, a group of prisoners in Dehdasht prison joined the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign in its 83rd week. The addition of Dehdasht prison to the campaign list is a bitter reminder that no corner of Iran is safe from the shadow of execution.

At the same time, we are confronted with another shocking piece of news: the transformation of Section 41 of Behesht Zahra Cemetery (a section that reminds us of the thousands of political prisoners of the 1980s and the unforgettable crimes of those years) into a parking lot. This action is not only a disgraceful attempt to erase collective memory and the traces of regime crimes but also an overt insult to the victims and their families, an act condemned by Amnesty International as well.

The “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign once again cries out:

Execution is not a solution.

Execution is a blatant violation of the right to life.

Execution is a tool for creating terror and consolidating political repression.

This campaign calls on all international institutions, human rights activists, and all awakened consciences to stand against this cycle of death and to reflect the Iranian people’s protest against executions.

On its 83rd week, the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign continues on Tuesday, August 26, with prisoners in 50 prisons across the country on hunger strike.

Geneva to Host Iranian Regime-European Troika Nuclear Talks Tuesday

Jubin Katiraie
-
0
Geneva to Host Iranian Regime-European Troika Nuclear Talks Tuesday

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that a new round of negotiations between the Iranian regime and three European countries over Tehran’s nuclear program will take place on Tuesday, August 26, in Geneva, Switzerland.

On Monday, August 25, Tasnim quoted an informed source saying that Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the deputy foreign minister for political affairs, will head the Iranian regime’s delegation in this round of talks, while “the deputy foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom will also attend.”

The source added: “The agenda of these negotiations is nuclear issues and the lifting of sanctions.”

The Iranian Regime’s Supreme Leader Rejected Direct Negotiations with the United States

Earlier, on August 22, Iranian regime foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with his counterparts in the three European countries as well as the European Union’s foreign policy chief to discuss the snapback mechanism.

In this call, it was agreed that negotiations on the Iranian regime’s nuclear program would continue.

In recent days, speculation has intensified over the fate of Tehran’s nuclear program, the European Troika’s decision to activate the snapback mechanism, and the Iranian regime’s possible reaction to it.

This comes as the legal deadline of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 approaches and the likelihood of the snapback mechanism being triggered increases. Tehran and its allies have intensified their consultations to counter this mechanism.

On August 23, Araghchi and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov discussed in a phone call the developments related to Iran’s nuclear file, recent moves by European countries, and Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran’s Regime and Russia Intensify Consultations to ‘Contain Snapback’

Ali Larijani, secretary of the Iranian regime’s Supreme National Security Council, on August 22 referred to the possibility of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom activating the snapback mechanism and said, “Important countries” have disagreements about “how to use” this mechanism.

He also addressed the possibility of the Iranian regime withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and added: “This assumption has always existed. The reality is that the NPT has never benefited us.”

Before the twelve-day war, five rounds of nuclear negotiations were held between Tehran and Washington, but the talks reached a deadlock due to the Iranian regime’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.

On August 24, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei accused the United States of trying “to bring the Iranian nation to its knees and make it obedient,” and said that “the essence of the issue is America’s enmity,” which makes matters such as direct negotiations “unsolvable.”

Meanwhile, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that a faction within the Iranian regime, led by Ali Larijani, is ready to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment level in order to prevent Britain and other Western countries from reimposing United Nations sanctions.

On Sunday, August 24, the British outlet quoted regime officials as saying that Tehran is willing to back down from its hardline stance to prevent further attacks from Israel and the United States as well as the activation of the snapback mechanism.

According to the report, Ali Larijani is leading the efforts to persuade the leadership to reduce the uranium enrichment level from 60% to 20%.

Before the snapback mechanism is activated, the Iranian regime is making great efforts to escape comprehensive sanctions by any means. The regime has a 22-year history of fruitless nuclear negotiations with the West, and this weakness of Western countries along with their policy of appeasement has made Tehran believe it is immune from any danger.

The Iranian Regime’s Supreme Leader Rejected Direct Negotiations with the United States

Sia Rajabi
-
0
The Iranian Regime’s Supreme Leader Rejected Direct Negotiations with the United States

Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran’s regime, accused supporters of direct talks with the United States and insisted that “the essence of the matter is America’s hostility,” which, he said, is “unsolvable” through measures like direct negotiations.

On Sunday, August 24, in a meeting with a group of regime supporters, Khamenei described those who believe “the reason for America’s anger and hostility” lies in “the slogans of the Iranian people,” including advocates of direct negotiations, as “superficial.” He stressed: “The essence of the matter is not this, and in light of America’s real objective in its hostility toward Iran, these issues are unsolvable.”

Iranian Regime Close to Building Nuclear Bomb

Khamenei accused the United States of acting “to bring the Iranian nation to its knees and make it obedient,” calling it “an insult to Iranians.” He added: “The nation is deeply offended by such an ugly expectation and will stand firmly against it.”

On August 6, Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran’s regime, said regarding the possibility of resuming talks with the United States that there was no final agreement yet, but messages had been exchanged, and the continuation of talks depends on the regime’s interests.

On August 20, in a video interview with IRNA, the state-run news agency, he also said: “We have not yet reached the point of maturity in negotiations to the extent of effective talks with America.”

Before the 12-day war, five rounds of nuclear negotiations were held between Tehran and Washington, but the talks reached a deadlock as Iranian regime officials insisted on continuing uranium enrichment inside Iran.

At the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, Khamenei described negotiations with the United States as “dishonorable and unwise,” and earlier, during Trump’s first term, he had pledged a policy of “no war, no negotiations.”

However, Hassan Rouhani, the former president of Iran’s regime, said in mid-March 2025 during a meeting with his former cabinet members that while describing the situation in the country as “critical,” Khamenei is not fundamentally opposed to negotiations. Instead, he said, Khamenei’s stance depends on timing, meaning he may oppose negotiations today but in a few months under different conditions might agree to talks with the United States.

Iran Ranks Third Globally in Extent of Land Subsidence

Hoshang Amiri
-
0
Iran Ranks Third Globally in Extent of Land Subsidence

Amid ongoing warnings about land subsidence crisis in Iran, an official from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced that Iran ranks third globally in terms of land subsidence, revealing that the largest subsidence zones in the country have been identified in Golestan Province.

Ali Beitollahi, head of the Earthquake Engineering and Risk Department at the Road, Housing, and Urban Development Research Center, warned on Saturday, August 23, that due to the severe depletion of groundwater resources, Iran is now among the top three countries in the world in terms of the “number of land subsidence zones.”

He explained that the main cause of land subsidence in Iran is the lowering of groundwater levels, saying: “Around Tehran, we used to have groundwater at depths of 20 to 30 meters. Now, even at 120 meters, when we dig wells, there is no water. The water has been extracted and not replenished. This is called a negative water balance.”

Land Subsidence Warnings in Tehran and the Critical Situation of 70% of Iran’s Plains

Beitollahi elaborated that when the soil loses its water, the underground layers compress and the surface sinks.

According to him, this process prevents surface water from infiltrating the ground, causes aquifers to lose their reserves, and results in runoff flowing on the surface.

The head of Earthquake Engineering and Risk warned that many of Iran’s historical sites are located in subsidence zones, saying: “Today, Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan (a major historical site) has cracked, as well as Seyyed Mosque in Isfahan, Naqsh-e Rostam, Persepolis, and other monuments. Unfortunately, out of about 67 cultural heritage sites, 27 are located in subsidence zones.”

On August 12, Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for Iran’s water industry, warned about the unprecedented severity of the water crisis, stating that 70% of Iran’s plains are in “restricted” or “critically restricted” conditions, and more than 300 plains, including Tehran, face serious land subsidence risks.

Transportation infrastructure at risk

Beitollahi also stated that transportation infrastructure, including railways and roads, has not been spared, mentioning the Tehran-Mashhad railway, the Isfahan-Tehran railway, and the railway along Lake Urmia’s coast. He added: “In Golestan Province, we have the largest subsidence zone. In Mazandaran, too, we have found subsidence in places we never expected. The spread of subsidence across the country is very extensive.”

This Ministry of Roads and Urban Development official stressed that the largest subsidence zones in Iran are located in densely populated areas and settlements, not in deserts or mountains.

He identified Mashhad, southwestern Tehran, southeastern Shiraz, and northern Isfahan as among the most significant subsidence centers in Iran.

According to Beitollahi, the depletion of groundwater resources began in the mid-1970s with population growth and agricultural expansion, but the intensity of subsidence increased in the 1990s.

Referring to the amount of groundwater lost, he added: “If we imagine a canal from the Caspian Sea coast to the Sea of Oman, 100 meters deep and 1 kilometer wide, the volume of water Iran has lost would be enough to fill such a canal. This negative water balance manifests as subsidence, and if not managed, nature will certainly give a harsh response.”

Somayeh Rafiei, head of the Environmental Caucus in the regime’s parliament, warned last month that excessive groundwater extraction has caused land subsidence in 30 provinces and turned 66% of the country’s wetlands into dust storm sources.

Unprecedented Energy Crisis and Government’s Inability Force Shutdowns in 27 Provinces in Iran

Esmaeil Mohades
-
0
Unprecedented Energy Crisis and Government’s Inability Force Shutdowns in 27 Provinces in Iran

With the continuation of an unprecedented heatwave and a sharp decline in water and electricity resources, Iran’s regime has once again resorted to widespread shutdowns of government offices and institutions in more than 27 provinces across the country.

Regime officials justified the decision as a measure to “manage energy consumption” and “help stabilize the electricity and water grid.” However, experts view it as a temporary band-aid and a clear sign of structural weaknesses and chronic mismanagement.

Power Outages and Extreme Heat in Iran Are Claiming Lives

The shutdowns began in late July, starting with the capital, Tehran. Later, most provinces declared four days of closure in August, and ultimately, on Saturday, August 23, at least 27 provinces—including Tehran, Isfahan, Khuzestan, the three Khorasan provinces, the two Azerbaijans, and Kerman—were placed under shutdown. The Banks Coordination Council also announced that all banks in Tehran and these provinces would be closed on that day.

Provincial governors stressed that all institutions are required to switch off cooling systems and reduce energy consumption. Nonetheless, reports indicate widespread blackouts across various cities. According to the managing director of Tavanir (the state-owned Power Generation and Distribution Company), the severe depletion of dam reservoirs has wiped out a significant portion of hydroelectric power capacity, leaving the country facing serious electricity shortages.

In recent weeks, citizens across the country have reported daily outages of water and electricity lasting eight to ten hours. This year’s planned blackouts began earlier than in past years, disrupting daily life since May.

Alongside this crisis, reports indicate a serious decline in Tehran’s dam reservoirs. The manager of Karaj Dam said water storage has dropped to its lowest level in 64 years, with only one-third of its capacity remaining. This contradicts claims circulating on social media about full reservoirs, which on-the-ground observations have proven false.

Economic experts have warned that each nationwide shutdown costs Iran’s economy about 100 million dollars in losses. Reduced output in key industries such as steel and petrochemicals, a decline in non-oil exports, and factories turning to polluting fuels like mazut are among the direct consequences of the energy crisis. Reports indicate that in just the past month, steel production at Mobarakeh Steel Company and Esfahan Steel Company has dropped by 25%.

Socially, this situation has severely impacted the livelihoods of millions of workers and those employed in the informal sector, with day laborers’ incomes dropping by up to 40%. Small and medium-sized businesses, which account for more than 80% of national employment, have also seen a 25% decline in activity.

According to analysts, the repetition of these shutdowns and the government’s inability to provide structural solutions have further eroded public trust. Many citizens, in messages to media outlets, stressed that the current crisis is not the result of public consumption but rather of the Iranian regime’s flawed policies and chronic mismanagement in the energy and water sectors.

The widespread shutdown of offices, alongside power and water cuts and the pollution crisis caused by burning mazut, paints a clear picture of the regime’s decaying infrastructure and managerial failures—a crisis whose consequences have severely affected everything from the economy to public health and the environment.

1...747576...3,788Page 75 of 3,788