Night-time motorway lighting is no longer provided in Tehran in order to save energy at a time when a cold snap in Iran is putting pressure on the electricity grid and energy supplies. In recent days, Iran has ordered the closure of schools and official offices across the country after being forced to ration electricity, despite having one of the world's largest natural gas reserves. "Without electricity, the children can't go to English classes or to school because the school and university are closed. Without electricity, the internet is cut off and they can't give online lessons," says Fatemeh Dolatabadi, a homemaker. In addition, shopping centres in the Iranian capital have been ordered to close two hours earlier. "They've ordered that shops should only be open until 8pm. How can I pay the rent for my café and my workers' wages?," laments Ali Samavarchi, the owner of a café in Tehran centre. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES