Iran: Power disruptions ongoing nationwide as of early Jan. 13

Event

Reports indicate that power disruptions remain ongoing across parts of Iran as of early Jan. 13. The cause of the outage remains unclear; several local sources suggest a technical failure at a power plant while others have blamed high gas consumption in recent weeks. Power failures have occurred in all major cities, including Ardabil, Gilan, Isfahan, Karaj, Qom, and Tehran. Authorities have called on residents to reduce their power consumption by at least 10 percent as they work to resolve the issue; they did not provide an estimated timeframe for recovery operations.

Commercial and communications disruptions are possible; the outage could affect cellular and mobile services. Traffic disruptions and longer driving times are possible due to malfunctioning traffic signals. Businesses without backup generators may have to suspend operations. Power outages could also result in the temporary unavailability of essential services such as ATMs and filling stations. There is an increased security threat during power outages. Blackouts could adversely affect security protocols, including alarm systems and electronic fences; opportunistic criminal activity could increase during electricity outages.

Advice

Charge all communication and portable electronic devices when possible. Unplug electronic equipment that is not connected to surge protectors. Exercise caution when driving in areas affected by power outages. Ensure that generators are functional if operating in affected areas. Confirm business appointments. Verify that security systems are working, including after power resumes. Follow all security personnel instructions.