A textile vendor works in their shop during a power outage in Tehran, August 5, 2025. VAHID SALEMI / AP
Since the end of July, Iran has been hit by a heat wave accompanied by a severe water shortage, putting additional strain on an already fragile electricity grid – since most electricity in the country is generated using water. To address these challenges, authorities have increasingly declared public holidays and ordered the closure of government offices to save water and electricity. On Wednesday, August 6, for example, government offices, banks and businesses in the province of Tehran were closed due to the heat and the need for "energy management," significantly slowing down activity, especially in the capital, which has more than 9 million residents (16 million including the metropolitan area). Hospitals and emergency services were exempt from these measures.
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Iran orders two-day nationwide shutdown due to unprecedented heat
