Iran hit by blackouts so bad, traffic lights aren't working

Sudden power cuts today (Tuesday) in the Iranian capital of Tehran are forcing the country to shut down all schools, universities and public offices tomorrow, according to Iran International.

Electricity was cut to the Tehran neighborhoods Narmak, Tehranpars, Pasdaran, Shahrak-e Gharb and the capital's central districts due to the state's "inability to supply gas and diesel for power plants," according to official media.

The Iranian electricity company said that these cuts were necessary to maintain the integrity of the electricity grid in the face of cold weather, increased consumption to heat houses, and the lack of fuel for power plants.

The blackouts caused by these power outages were reportedly so severe that they caused internet outages and even disruptions in the operation of city traffic lights.

Iran has been suffering from regular power outages since November of last year due to an ongoing fuel shortage driven by severe underinvestment in local power generation and US sanctions.

These power shortages have not just caused inconveniences such as shutting down internet and traffic lights but have also forced the shuttering of multiple factories and businesses, leaving increasing numbers of Iranians out of work or struggling to make ends meet.

The fuel shortage is just one of a compounding series of economic problems in a country suffering from at least 40% and possibly 50-60% inflation and a continuously collapsing currency.

Multiple protests by nurses, farmers, pensioners, and business owners have broken out over the failure of wages to be higher than the cost of living, and Iran is suffering a shortage of doctors and medical supplies for much the same reason.

Iran is also suffering from a 50% unemployment rate among those aged 24-50, meaning prime-aged workers, and President Trump's reimposition of "maximum pressure" sanctions mean Iran is in for an even harder economic time this year.