“For several years, Iran has aimed to become the regional hub for electricity, a goal reportedly achieved during the 13th administration, with the country now having the highest electricity trade balance in the Middle East… With 5.5 terawatt-hours of electricity exports and 3 terawatt-hours of imports, Iran boasts the highest electricity trade surplus in the region at 2.5 terawatt-hours, far surpassing its neighboring countries.”
This unfounded claim was published by ISNA news agency in April, citing an official from the administration of then-regime president Ebrahim Raisi. However, even before winter arrived, this claim unraveled. Contrary to such assertions, the Iranian people have recently been facing power outages along with other issues, including gas shortages, increased air pollution, freezing temperatures, dust storms, and more. These problems have turned into unsolvable crises, leaving many Iranian cities and provinces paralyzed or partially shut down.
Shutdowns Due to Power and Gas Outages
Power outages have triggered a domino effect of other problems in Iran. “In today’s world, where most people live in apartments and rely on electric pumps for drinking water and heating systems like boilers, power outages lead to water shortages and the failure of heating systems. In fact, not only is electricity cut in homes, but along with it, water, heating, telephone, and internet services are also interrupted. Elevators and electric parking gates also stop functioning” (Source: Tasnim News Agency, December 17).
The crisis does not stop there. Gas shortages in many parts of the country have become another major challenge. In the world’s second-richest country in terms of vast gas reserves, gas shortages have made life unbearable for residents in many Iranian cities according to media reports: “Gas has been cut off in some parts of Tehran,” “For three days, industrial parks in Kerman have had no gas, and steel production facilities have also been shut down,” and “Gas has been cut to more than 950 government buildings in Kermanshah.”
Shutdowns Due to Air Pollution and Severe Cold
In a country where all infrastructure is destroyed or worn out, it is no surprise that even “cold weather” has become a factor paralyzing the nation. Combined with air pollution, gas, and electricity shortages, this has led to the closure of offices and schools across most provinces.
On December 17, the state-run Setareh Sobh newspaper wrote, “Cold weather, air pollution, and shortages of gas, electricity, and even water have occurred in the country at unprecedented levels. Today, these issues are no longer just problems but have each turned into crises. If not managed, one crisis leads to another. Yesterday, offices and schools in 23 provinces of the country were shut down due to the cold, electricity and gas shortages, and air pollution. It seems this situation will persist in the coming days.”
Shutdowns Due to Dust Storms
Dust storms are another environmental challenge that, for years, have caused not only health problems, such as respiratory and heart diseases, but also adverse social and economic effects on the lives of people. Now, they have led to the closure of parts of the country.
In recent days, schools and universities in Hormozgan province have been closed due to strong winds and dust storms. This crisis has been more severe in areas such as Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Minab, Rudan, Bandar Khamir, and Jask.
On Sunday, December 15, dust levels in Khuzestan province reached 66 times the permissible limit in Hoveyzeh and 25 times the permissible limit in Ahvaz.
Pezeshkian’s Audacity: “People Must Conserve!”
In the face of these crises, regime president Masoud Pezeshkian, using populist and performative rhetoric, always directs his appeals to the people. He shifts the blame for these crises onto the public, who hold none of the decision-making power in the country. Pezeshkian, in a demanding tone, says: “It’s not logical for our country to consume about three times the electricity of European countries,” ultimately placing the responsibility for resolving these crises on the people themselves. They are the ones expected to “wear warm clothes at home,” “use one light instead of four,” and lower their home temperature by two degrees.
However, he says nothing about why the plundering clerical regime, instead of solving domestic problems, has spent at least $50 billion of Iranian wealth during the 2010s propping up Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship.
Aren’t the IRGC’s large cryptocurrency mining farms among the biggest electricity consumers in the country? So why is no one stopping them?
Why are these lavish expenditures in Lebanon draining the lifeblood of the poorest segments of our society, and who will be held accountable?
If there is no money in this country, why is the budget for military repression forces being tripled?
After 45 years of absolute rule and despite massive oil, gas, and other natural resources, Iran’s regime is still incapable of solving the most basic problems, such as supplying electricity and gas. The root cause of these crises must be sought in the structure of the regime, which prioritizes suppression, corruption, and foreign interventions over domestic development. The Iranian people understand this well; that is why they chant “Death to the dictator” when the power goes out. At every opportunity, they shout at regime officials, burn tires angrily in the streets, and strive to turn their protests into uprisings.
