In Iran, government offices will be closed on July 23 in many provinces, including the capital Tehran, to reduce high energy consumption due to ongoing extreme heat.

The intense heatwave affecting Iran has led to a significant increase in energy consumption. In response, the government and local authorities have declared a public holiday for government offices.

The decision was reportedly taken to reduce electricity demand caused by extreme heat and to protect the country’s energy system.

According to Iran’s Meteorological Organization, temperatures have reached up to 50°C (122°F) in southern and western regions such as Khuzestan and Ilam. In Tehran, temperatures are hovering around 40°C (104°F).

SHOTLIST:

TEHRAN, IRAN (JULY 22, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF IRANIANS ON STREETS CARRYING UMBRELLAS/ WEARING UMBRELLA SHAPED CAPS/ DRINKING REFRESHMENTS AND WATER/

2. VARIOUS OF ICED DRINKS BEING SOLD

3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OF FAN

4. MAN WAVING FAN

5. MAN LYING ON HAND CART

6. SMALL FANS BEING SOLD (TWO SHOTS)

7. VARIOUS OF IRANIANS WASHING THEIR FACES AND DRINKING WATER FROM FOUNTAIN

8. WIDE SHOT OF STREET AS VEHICLES PASS TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 22: In Iran, government offices will be closed on July 23 in many provinces, including the capital Tehran, to reduce high energy consumption due to ongoing extreme heat.

The intense heatwave affecting Iran has led to a significant increase in energy consumption. In response, the government and local authorities have declared a public holiday for government offices.

Accordingly, on Wednesday, July 23, government offices will be closed in at least 14 provinces, including Tehran.

The provinces where offices will be closed include Gilan, Fars, Markazi, Razavi Khorasan, Golestan, Alborz, Mazandaran, Kerman, Bushehr, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Lorestan, North Khorasan, and Yazd.

In provinces where a holiday was not declared, including Semnan and Kermanshah, working hours were adjusted to run from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The decision was reportedly taken to reduce electricity demand caused by extreme heat and to protect the country’s energy system.

According to Iran’s Meteorological Organization, temperatures have reached up to 50°C (122°F) in southern and western regions such as Khuzestan and Ilam. In Tehran, temperatures are hovering around 40°C (104°F).

Officials have urged citizens to avoid going outside unless necessary, to stay out of direct sunlight, and to minimize electricity use.

Energy-saving measures have become increasingly common in recent months across the country.

Especially during hot weather, the surge in demand due to air conditioners has prompted authorities to regularly call on the public to conserve energy.

In Tehran, to curb excessive energy use, daily power cuts lasting two hours are being implemented in different districts on a rotating basis.

Reporting by Ahmet Dursun // Writing by Ayse Elif Erdis