Iran Strengthens Crisis Preparedness in 700 Tehran Mosques

TEHRAN — Approximately 700 mosques in Iran’s capital have been designated as emergency crisis management centers, according to a report by Chinese financial news outlet Yicai (First Financial), as the country prepares for potential large-scale emergencies amid escalating regional tensions.

Mosques Converted Into Public Shelters

The initiative, confirmed by Iranian officials, repurposes mosques across Tehran to serve as shelters, distribution hubs for essential supplies, and coordination points for emergency response teams. The move follows repeated warnings from local authorities about the lack of adequate public shelters in major Iranian cities, particularly in the event of aerial attacks or other security threats.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government, announced on April 26, 2026, that mosques, schools, and subway stations would be integrated into the national crisis management infrastructure. The decision comes as Israeli military operations in the region continue, raising concerns about civilian preparedness in Iranian urban centers.

Tehran’s Crisis Management Organization, led by city officials, has urged residents to seek refuge in underground parking lots, reinforced basements of high-rise buildings, and designated ministry-owned facilities. Mehdi Chamran, head of the Tehran City Council, identified these locations as safer alternatives to traditional shelters, which were originally designed for earthquake response rather than wartime scenarios.

Mosques as Central Nodes in Crisis Response

President Pezeshkian has previously emphasized the role of mosques in organizing public participation during emergencies. In a statement earlier this month, he described religious centers as “key to crisis management,” highlighting their existing networks of volunteers, community leaders, and logistical resources. The latest announcement formalizes this role, designating hundreds of mosques as operational hubs for emergency services.

The report by Yicai did not specify the exact criteria used to select the 700 mosques or whether additional facilities would be added in the coming weeks. However, Iranian state media has indicated that the program is part of a broader effort to decentralize emergency response capabilities, reducing reliance on a limited number of government-run shelters.

Water Rationing and Resource Allocation Concerns

The repurposing of mosques for crisis management has drawn attention to broader resource allocation challenges in Iran. While ordinary citizens face increasing water rationing, religious centers—including mosques, seminaries, and military bases—continue to receive unrestricted water supplies. According to a 2025 investigation by IranWire, Tehran’s 157,967 religious and military facilities consume an estimated 80 million cubic meters of water annually, paid for by the state at no cost to the institutions.

Critics have questioned whether the prioritization of mosques for emergency use could exacerbate existing inequalities in resource distribution. However, government officials have defended the policy, arguing that mosques provide critical infrastructure for community resilience during crises.

Protests and Security Crackdowns

The announcement of the mosque-based shelter program comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran. Nationwide protests erupted on December 28, 2025, following the collapse of the Iranian rial and widespread economic hardship. Security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary, responded with a violent crackdown, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries, according to human rights organizations.

Amnesty International documented the use of live ammunition, metal pellets, and unlawful force by security personnel, particularly during protests on January 8 and 9, 2026. The Iranian government imposed a nationwide internet blackout on January 8 to suppress information about the crackdown, further isolating protesters and limiting independent verification of casualties.

Despite the repression, demonstrations have persisted in various forms, with mosques occasionally serving as gathering points for dissent. The government’s decision to formalize their role in crisis management may also serve as a means of asserting control over these spaces, ensuring they remain under state supervision during periods of unrest.

Regional Tensions and Civilian Preparedness

The expansion of emergency shelters in Tehran reflects growing concerns about the potential for direct conflict involving Iran. Israeli military strikes in the region have intensified since early 2026, prompting Iranian officials to accelerate civilian defense measures. While the government has not issued a formal evacuation order, local authorities have distributed guidelines on seeking shelter in the event of an attack.

Tehran’s crisis management chief has acknowledged that the city’s existing shelters were not designed to withstand aerial bombardments, necessitating the rapid adaptation of alternative spaces. The inclusion of mosques in this network underscores their dual role as both religious institutions and community hubs in Iranian society.

As of April 27, 2026, no further details have been released regarding the timeline for expanding the program to other Iranian cities or the specific training provided to mosque staff for emergency response. The government has not indicated whether similar measures will be implemented for other types of public buildings, such as hospitals or government offices.