Iran’s government has ordered the closure of public offices in Tehran Province for Wednesday amid an ongoing energy crisis and a nationwide heatwave, as the country’s president warned of a worsening water shortage.
“Following the continued extreme heat and the necessity of conserving water and electricity, Wednesday, 23 July, has been declared a public holiday in Tehran Province,” government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani wrote on X.
“It is an opportunity for rest, a short trip, or being with family, of course while observing safety guidelines and conserving energy,” she added.
The announcement came as temperatures in parts of Iran soared above seasonal averages, with Tehran reaching around 104°F (40°C) on Sunday, putting further strain on the country’s aging power grid and water supply systems.
In a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Pezeshkian cited a report from the energy ministry and warned that the crisis was more severe than acknowledged.
“The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by state media.
“In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption,” he added.
In response to the country's water crisis, water shutoffs have spread across Iran, especially Tehran, amid growing reports of silent rationing—claims denied by officials who attribute the issue to a mere drop in pressure.
Last week, Iran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi warned that the country's critical reservoirs could run dry within weeks. Aliabadi added that Iran is negotiating with neighboring countries to import water
