Energy crisis in Iran: government offices are closed, and industry has halted, reports the NYT.

Due to the energy crisis, government institutions in Iran are either closed or operating on a reduced schedule, while schools and colleges have shifted to online learning. Industrial enterprises have nearly halted production.  

This is reported by The New York Times.

Despite having one of the largest reserves of natural gas and crude oil in the world, Iran is facing an energy crisis caused by sanctions, mismanagement, aging infrastructure, wasteful consumption, and targeted attacks from Israel.

According to the country's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the energy situation has reached a "critical point." The gas deficit necessary for the country's functioning is approximately 350 million cubic meters per day, and as temperatures have dropped and demand has surged, officials have had to resort to extreme measures for gas rationing.

The government had to choose – cut off gas supply to residential buildings or halt supply to power plants generating electricity. They opted for the latter, as "shutting off gas to residential areas would pose a serious safety threat and cut off the main source of heat for most Iranians."

By December 20, 17 power plants had completely ceased operations, while the rest worked partially. The state energy company Tavanir warned producers of widespread power outages that could last several days or weeks.

According to the Iranian Industry Coordination Council, losses just from last week could reduce production in the country by at least 30–50 percent and result in losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars. The situation is catastrophic and unlike anything the industry has ever faced, said the head of the Coordination Council, Mehdi Bostanchi.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the Moldovan parliament approved a resolution to introduce state of emergency in the energy sector due to the cessation of Russian gas supplies to the unrecognized Transnistria.