Warning from the Engineering Organization; One Thousand Towers in Tehran at Risk of Fire

The head of the National Building Engineering Organization of Iran pointed out the lack of "scientific obligation" for building maintenance in Iran, stating: "Currently, there are 1,000 buildings over 12 stories in Tehran that are prone to fire, and if they are not specially monitored, they may meet the same fate as Plasco." Hamzeh Shakib noted that, according to reports, each Iranian family spends 45% of their income on housing, adding: "Currently, the average lifespan of buildings in Iran is between 30 to 40 years, while globally this figure is between 75 to 100 years." The head of the National Engineering Organization also emphasized that many countries are seeking to reduce damage from natural disasters, including earthquakes, stating: "The reality is that if an incident or earthquake occurs, governments will no longer be able to cover the damages; therefore, they are moving towards prevention rather than treatment." On Sunday, July 2, a Ministry of Roads and Urban Development official reported that there are over 12,000 buildings on the fault lines of the Iranian capital, with about 1,000 of these being high-rise (over 12 stories), half of which are located in Tehran's District 1, which is the path of three major fault lines in the city. Ali Beitollahi, head of the Earthquake Research Center of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, also warned about the high risk of earthquake-related damages in areas with extensive dilapidated structures and very narrow streets in District 1 of Tehran, including Darabad, Jamaran, Golabdareh, and Tajrish, as well as the potential for streets to be blocked due to building collapses. Mehdi Chamran, the head of the Tehran City Council, also reported in June 2022 that a list of 129 hazardous buildings in Tehran had been prepared, stating that some authorities oppose making this list public without specifying who these authorities are. Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, identified earthquake, storm, flooding, and land subsidence as the four main challenges in the Iranian capital, stating: "If we announce the list of unsafe buildings in Tehran, no one will remain in the city." Abbas Jahani: Many constructions have taken place on active faults in Tehran. Emmanuel Barberryan: The city of Tehran is situated on eight fundamental faults. A renewed warning about the capital; 12,000 buildings have been constructed on Tehran's fault lines. Tehran on the danger line; 11,000 "hazardous" buildings in the capital. Severe water crisis in Central Iran; parliamentary representatives: "Aquifers" have become salty and "land subsidence" has increased.