Iran is facing a shortage of natural gas for households and factories amid the cold weather, closing down schools and government offices due to the shortage.
Last year, Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji warned people of a cold winter and potential gas shortages. The gas crisis comes while the country is facing popular uprisings and a call for regime change.
Iran in the past year offered itself as an alternative source of natural gas and saw its position strengthened in international talks to limit its nuclear program.
"We have the world's second-largest gas reserves and can supply Europe," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in early September. But before that could happen, US economic sanctions against Iran would have to be lifted.
In the meantime, the nuclear talks have failed and the energy crisis in Europe has eased.
Authorities say that supplies are now stable in Germany, which was particularly dependent on Russian gas before the war in Ukraine began.
Iran is experiencing technical problems with gas production, the Petroleum Ministry has confirmed. Earlier this week, the oil minister warned people to conserve supplies.
In an interview with the official Shana news agency, which covers the industry, he advised citizens to "dress warmer at home and reduce consumption: Those who use too much gas can expect to have their supply cut off.”
