Nevertheless, the building gradually entered a period of decline. Changes in Tehran’s cultural environment, the emergence of new entertainment venues, inadequate maintenance, and institutional difficulties contributed to the deterioration of the theater. Its physical condition increasingly reflected the challenges faced by many historic cultural buildings in the rapidly changing urban environment of the capital.
Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, Nasr Theater was confiscated by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation. Eventually, the theater ceased its activities and was closed. This marked the end of an important period in the building’s history as an active performance venue.
Despite its closure, Nasr Theater continued to attract attention because of its historical and cultural significance. In 1988, the Jihad-e Daneshgahi organization, also known as Academic Jihad, leased the property with the intention of restoring its activities and bringing the building back into the cultural life of Tehran.
The initiative represented an attempt to preserve an important theatrical landmark and revive its original function. However, the building was already in a considerably deteriorated condition. Structural problems, insufficient financial resources, and a lack of sustained institutional support made the rehabilitation process difficult.
