The government announced a two-day public holiday, ordering all government agencies, banks and schools to close amid soaring temperatures that threatened public health and strained the power grid.
The country’s morality police disappeared from the streets late last year as the authorities tried to calm anti-government protests. Now, patrols are once again watching for violators.
Iran’s prohibition of the drinking and selling of alcohol has led to a flourishing underground market. But even officials have acknowledged a wave of hospitalizations and deaths in recent months.
Two female journalists, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, covered some of the first reports of the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which ignited nationwide protests against Iran’s clerical rulers.