Iran Implements Decentralized Administrative Policy with Widespread Closures and Remote Work in 10 Provinces
In a significant move to enhance administrative efficiency and environmental sustainability, government offices in ten Iranian provinces will be closed or operate via remote work this Thursday, October 9, 2025. This decision, enacted under a new policy of decentralized governance, grants provincial governors the authority to adjust work schedules based on local conditions.
A Shift Towards Decentralized Governance
The policy, initiated at the start of the current Iranian year (summer 2024), marks a strategic shift from centralized decision-making. It empowers local governors to determine the operational status of administrative offices each Thursday, considering factors such as regional climate, energy consumption, traffic congestion, and air quality.
Official statements from the government’s Administrative and Employment Deputy highlight that this initiative aligns with the nation’s sustainable development and smart energy management policies. The core objectives are multifaceted:
- Optimizing energy consumption.
- Reducing atmospheric pollutants in major urban centers.
- Alleviating urban traffic.
- Improving overall environmental conditions.
- Enhancing public employee productivity and work-life balance.
Confirmed Provincial Schedules for October 9
The following ten provinces have confirmed definitive plans for office closures or a transition to remote work:
- Qazvin: Full closure of all state offices. Banks will operate at one-third capacity with on-call branches open.
- Alborz: Implementation of a remote work scheme for government employees.
- Fars: Continuous remote work policy from the start of the current month until the end of the year. Emergency and service delivery entities remain active.
- Semnan: Remote work for the latter half of the day, with flexible working hours.
- East Azerbaijan: General remote work for provincial offices.
- Ardabil: Full remote work for the day.
- Zanjan: General remote work for government staff, with on-call bank branches available for essential services.
- Golestan: Full remote work for provincial departments.
- Hamedan: Comprehensive remote work for offices.
- Gilan: Remote work for state administrations and organizations, coordinated with the provincial governorate and crisis management committee.
Provinces such as Tehran and Isfahan are still finalizing their decisions, with announcements expected following further review by their respective energy and administrative transformation committees.
Impact on Public Services and Long-Term Goals
Critical and emergency services will remain fully operational across all provinces. In most areas, banks will serve the public through on-call branches, and public transportation in major cities will run according to standard schedules. Schools in provinces like Fars and Alborz will also be closed or switch to non-attendance learning.
According to reports from the Parliamentary Research Center, similar pilot programs in other provinces last year yielded positive results, including a 15% increase in employee productivity and significant savings in governmental energy costs.
A presidential deputy has clarified that this policy is currently a trial measure until the end of the current Iranian year (March 2026). Its potential to become a permanent feature of the national administrative framework will depend on its success in achieving its stated economic and environmental goals. Citizens are advised to consult their local governorate’s official website for the latest updates and to utilize available online government service portals.
