Iranian leader demands lights to be turned off during speech to save electricity

During a speech to residents in Bojnurd, North Khorasan, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian made a strong call to reduce electricity consumption.

He demanded that the lights be turned off while he spoke, highlighting the urgency of saving energy, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

"We consume as much gas and electricity as all of Europe combined! Why do we still have the lights on when the sun is shining?" Pezeshkian asked, as seen in footage aired by local TV channel moments before the lights were switched off in the room. He went on to criticize the widespread misuse of gas and electricity, calling it "a very bad habit" that needs to be eliminated.

This call for energy conservation follows Pezeshkian's earlier campaign on December 12, urging Iranians to reduce the temperature of their home heating systems by at least two degrees to help replenish gas reserves and prevent nationwide power outages.

The government launched the "#two_degrees_lower" initiative, which gained support from over 20 public figures, including Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and several national athletes.

Iran is facing a severe energy crisis due to increased demand during the winter months, prompting the partial shutdown of businesses and government offices, as well as the implementation of remote learning in some areas. Analysts warn of significant economic repercussions if the situation is not addressed promptly.

To cope with the energy shortfall, the Iranian government has urged households to lower their heating levels to avoid blackouts. Additionally, Pezeshkian issued an apology in a local interview, acknowledging the public’s hardships and assuring that efforts will be made to prevent such crises in the future.

In response to the crisis, several gas-powered plants in Lorestan and Golestan provinces were temporarily shut down for environmental reasons. Iran also halted gas exports to Iraq last month for pipeline repairs, further straining domestic supply.

In an effort to meet growing demand, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad confirmed that the country was close to securing electricity imports to fill the gap, although he did not specify the source of these imports. Earlier this year, Iran imported electricity from Turkmenistan to address the high summer demand.

By Tamilla Hasanova