TEHRAN — Large swaths of the Iranian capital were plunged into darkness early Monday morning after a joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign targeted critical electricity distribution hubs and military command centers. State-run news agency IRNA confirmed that the strikes caused “significant damage” to the electrical network, particularly in the densely populated southern and eastern neighborhoods.
Targeted Infrastructure
According to operational reports and local witness accounts, the following areas have been hardest hit by the outages:
- Eastern Tehran: An electricity distribution center supplying several eastern districts was reportedly neutralized. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site shortly after 2:00 AM.
- Alborz Province (Karaj): Residents in Karaj reported back-to-back explosions that severed local power lines, forcing many families to relocate to northern parts of the city or seek shelter in the subway system.
- Southern Neighborhoods (Shahr-e Rey): Heavy bombardment in the south, which houses several industrial zones and IRGC-affiliated facilities, has left thousands without light or heat.
The Humanitarian Impact
The power outages are compounding an already dire situation for Tehran’s 9 million residents.
- Water and Heating: The loss of electricity has disrupted water pumping stations in some districts, leading to reports of dry taps. With temperatures in Tehran still dropping near freezing at night, the lack of residential heating is becoming a primary concern for the Ministry of Health.
- Healthcare Strain: While major hospitals like Gandhi and Motahari are reportedly running on emergency generators, officials warn that fuel supplies for these backups are limited due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- “Black Rain”: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its warning for residents to stay indoors, as smoke from struck industrial and oil facilities has mixed with rain, creating a toxic “black rain” that poses severe respiratory risks.
State Response and Repairs
The Iranian Power Authority stated that emergency technical teams were dispatched “immediately after the attacks” to assess and stabilize the grid.
“Our teams are working under fire to rebuild the damaged sections of the network,” a ministry spokesperson told state television. “We ask the citizens to remain patient and minimize electricity use in areas where the grid is still operational.”
Strategic Context: The “Energy Pressure”
The targeting of power plants marks a significant shift in the U.S.-Israeli strategy. While early March focused on “decapitation” strikes and military assets, the focus has moved toward energy infrastructure.
- Trump’s Ultimatum: U.S. President Donald Trump had previously threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s various power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened.
- The 10-Day Delay: Despite the strikes, Trump recently claimed he would “delay” major attacks on the energy sector by 10 days to allow for the Pakistani-mediated peace talks in Islamabad to progress, though last night’s strikes suggest that tactical hits on the distribution grid remain part of the active campaign.
| Location | Power Status | Reported Impact |
| East Tehran | Down | Distribution center destroyed; widespread blackouts. |
| South Tehran | Intermittent | Heavy damage to industrial power lines. |
| Karaj (Alborz) | Down | Total blackout following airstrikes on local infrastructure. |
| Central Tehran | Operational | Running on limited capacity; frequent rolling brownouts. |
