Protests in Iran over daily power cuts

Angry Iranians protested throughout the country on Wednesday as a series of daily power cuts hit homes and businesses in summer temperatures of over 50˚C.

President Hassan Rouhani, who leaves office next month, was forced to apologize for the second day in a row as demonstrations took place in Shiraz and Kazeroun in the south, Amol and Kordkuy in the north, and Tehran.

“We regret the problems the people have had in the past few days,” Rouhani said. “On the one hand, our output has dropped due to the condition of hydroelectric power plants, and on the other consumption has gone up.”

He attributed the surge in demand to “industrial growth and extreme heat,” along with energyintensive cryptocurrency mining operations.

The Energy Ministry has pub

President Rouhani was forced to apologize for the second day in a row as demonstrations took place in several cities.

lished schedules for rolling blackouts but many homes and businesses have lost power unexpectedly in recent days.

Azam, a hairdresser in Tehran, blamed the government for failing to “provide the basics” such as electricity. “It’s not like we’re asking for much,” she said, “but all they do ask the people to be patient and endure.”

Hamid, a private company employee, said: “All our business requires electricity, and this has disrupted our life.”

Rouhani urged the Energy Ministry to prevent any cuts outside of the scheduled blackouts of at least two hours a day. He also blamed US sanctions for blocking investment in energy infrastructure.

“The result is having no capital, and then big projects cannot be done,” said Rouhani. “Who would want to invest when the country’s risk goes up?”