A severe heatwave sweeping across Iran has prompted authorities to reduce operating hours for various facilities and order the closure of government and commercial institutions on Sunday. The intense heat has pushed temperatures in Tehran to between 37°C (98.6°F) and 42°C (107°F), with reports of more than 200 people seeking treatment for heatstroke.
According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), banks, offices, and public institutions nationwide will be closed on Sunday to safeguard public health and conserve energy. Only emergency services and medical facilities will remain operational.
Babak Yektaparast, spokesperson for Iran's emergency department, reported to Mehr news agency that 225 individuals had been treated for heatstroke, with some requiring hospitalization. The National Meteorological Organisation’s Sadegh Ziaian revealed that temperatures in 10 provinces exceeded 45°C (113°F) on Saturday, with Delgan in Sistan and Balochistan province reaching a blistering 49.7°C (121°F).
While a slight temperature drop is anticipated for Monday, Ziaian cautioned that the heatwave's intensity might persist. In response to the extreme conditions, authorities have adjusted working hours and advised residents to remain indoors until 5 p.m. local time.
The country has seen record-breaking electricity consumption, reaching 78,106 MW on Tuesday as residents sought relief from the heat. Nournews, associated with Iran's supreme national security council, reported that Iran's temperatures are rising at twice the global average rate. Over the past 50 years, Iran has warmed by 2°C, compared to the global increase of 1°C.
The heatwave is part of a broader trend of intensifying climate conditions driven by global climate change, largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels. Last year, Iran faced a similar situation, leading to a two-day nationwide holiday to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures.
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