Iran: Two-day Holiday Declared for 'Unprecedented Heat'

Facts

• On Tuesday, the government of Iran declared a two-day holiday covering Wednesday and Thursday in response to what it stated was an "unprecedented heatwave" that poses a threat to public health. Temperatures in Iran have soared past 40°C (104°F) and could reach 50°C (122°F) in the south of the nation this week.¹
• The move will see schools, banks, and government agencies shutter, and the Iranian Health Ministry is warning of the risks the heat poses to the elderly, children, and those with underlying health conditions. Electricity usage is also set to reach record highs.²
• In June, Iran switched to daylight savings time for government agencies in a bid to save electricity amid the intense heat. Over 1K individuals in southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province have been hospitalized in recent days due to the heat, which is one of the most severely affected regions.³
• Iran's meteorological office has reported a rate of warming of 0.4°C per decade, above the global average of 0.2°C. Wildfires have torn across the wooded Zagros Mountain range and water resources also face increasing strain.⁴
• Iran's daily electricity consumption is set to surpass 72K megawatts. The capital of Tehran has seen temperatures of 39°C (102°F), while the southwestern province of Khuzestan has seen the mercury climb above 50°C (122°F).⁴
• Some regions across the country are protesting water cuts spurred by the rising heat. Sistan-Baluchistan province has protested Afghanistan's recent damming of the Helmand River — exacerbating water shortages in a country where 97% of the country is experiencing some degree of drought.^5

Sources: ¹DW, ²The New York Times, ³SBS News, ⁴AL, and ⁵RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Iran International. While Iran may blame the West's sanctions for their struggles with the climate, it is Tehran's mismanagement of resources that has exacerbated heat waves into a protracted and severe crisis. Iran's leaders have broadly ignored the climate crisis, and are now reaping the consequences. These holidays are a cover to prepare Iranians for a "new normal" of water and electricity shortages.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by UN News. US punitive sanctions placed on Iran have constrained any attempt Tehran makes to transition to a greener, climate-resilient country. By being excluded from the world's economy, Iran is forced to continue its use of inefficient and polluting technology. This will prevent the nation from lessening its emissions and will sadly lead to more suffering internally. The US must ease its cruel sanctions.

Predictions