According to the Tehran Province Gas Company, Alireza Avani pointed to rising gas consumption in Tehran Province, which topped 98 million cubic meters on Wednesday (20 Aban). He said: "Under a cabinet resolution, the temperature in office buildings must be set at 18°C, and offices' heating systems must be switched off on holidays."

He added: "To that end, special gas consumption management patrols inspected the buildings of executive bodies on Thursday (21 Aban), even though offices were closed. These checks found that, despite earlier warnings and with no staff present, the heating systems of some buildings were still on and the notified requirements had not been observed."

The managing director of the Tehran Province Gas Company continued: "After unannounced visits and the observation of violations, Gas Company inspectors cut the gas supply to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Education's deputy office, the Statistical Centre of Iran, Branch 1 of the Social Security Organization, the Cooperative Development Bank building (Ministry of Cooperatives) and the Research Institute of Culture affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance."

Referring to the country's energy supply situation, Avani urged citizens to take gas consumption management more seriously this year than in previous years. He asked them to follow consumption patterns, set their heating devices appropriately and avoid unnecessary use, so as to help keep the gas network stable and ensure heating for fellow citizens, particularly in the country's cold regions.