Energy Ministry appeals for limited air-conditioning use as high temperatures strain electricity supply
TEHRAN: Iran’s Energy Ministry has appealed to citizens to reduce electricity consumption by limiting air-conditioner use during peak hours following reported power disruptions in parts of southern Iran, according to Iranian authorities and media reports.
Officials urged residents to switch off air conditioners for at least one hour during periods of highest electricity demand, generally between late morning and early evening, to help stabilise the national power grid. The ministry said the measure is intended to ease pressure on electricity supplies while repair work continues in affected areas.
According to reports cited by Fox News, the disruptions followed strikes that allegedly damaged power infrastructure serving Bandar Abbas and nearby regions. However, the reported cause of the outages has not been independently verified.
Extreme heat increases pressure on power grid
State media reported that temperatures in parts of southern Iran have recently exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly increasing electricity demand as households rely heavily on air conditioning to cope with the intense heat.
Authorities said electricity has been restored in some locations, although intermittent outages continue in areas where infrastructure reportedly sustained damage. Energy officials urged the public to cooperate with conservation efforts to reduce the risk of wider blackouts.
Conflicting narratives emerge
Meanwhile, the reported disruptions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. In recent public remarks, US President Donald Trump warned of potential action against Iranian power infrastructure in the coming days.
Iranian officials have portrayed the electricity shortages as evidence that civilian infrastructure has been affected by the conflict, while US authorities have not publicly confirmed responsibility for the reported damage described in the reports.
As the situation develops, the impact of power disruptions and extreme weather continues to raise humanitarian concerns for residents across southern Iran, where high temperatures place additional strain on electricity networks and essential public services.
🚨🇮🇷 Iran is begging citizens to turn off their AC as U.S. strikes knock out power across the sweltering south…
-Iran's Energy Ministry is urging people nationwide to limit air conditioning to stabilize electricity for the south, after strikes damaged power lines feeding… pic.twitter.com/RdCQXgKPSK
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 17, 2026
