Offices and banks in five Iranian provinces to close on Wednesday, creating a four-day break

The provincial administrations of Ilam, Qom, Kermanshah, Hormozgan and Bushehr have ordered government offices and banks closed on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Because Tuesday, August 4, is an official holiday for Arbaeen, and Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7, are the weekend, the decision creates an effective four-day break in those provinces.

According to the provincial circulars, the closures were ordered to manage the energy imbalance, cope with a heatwave and orange-level weather warnings, and ease the movement of Arbaeen pilgrims. Hospitals, emergency and relief services, police units and municipal operations are exempt, and banks have been instructed to designate and announce on-duty branches in coordination with the banking commission.

The list of provinces may change, as energy consumption task forces in other provinces are still reviewing the matter. Closing the banking network affects settlement and fund transfers in these provinces.