Iran Faces Power Cuts Due to Fuel Shortages and Rising Demand

Iran is enforcing rolling power blackouts due to a natural gas shortage exacerbated by under-investment in infrastructure and international sanctions. The capital, Tehran, and several provinces are experiencing two-hour daily outages. The government has banned the use of mazut, a high-polluting fuel, at certain power plants to reduce air pollution, further straining energy supplies. Iran faces a significant natural gas shortfall this winter and is negotiating increased imports from Turkmenistan. Sanctions hinder Iran's ability to build new power plants or improve existing ones.