Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sounded the alarm over an escalating water crisis threatening the country, with the capital city Tehran at particular risk. He warned that if current water usage continues unchecked, Tehran’s reservoirs could be completely depleted by early autumn. The crisis stems from five straight years of drought, a sharp 40% decrease in rainfall over recent months, and poor management of water resources. Notably, around 70% of Tehran’s residents use more water daily than the recommended 130 liters, while the agricultural sector—which consumes roughly 80% of the nation’s water—remains largely unregulated and inefficient.
In an effort to conserve water and energy, Iranian authorities declared a public holiday across Tehran and at least ten other provinces in late July. However, President Pezeshkian criticized such temporary measures as superficial fixes that fail to address the deeper problems. He called for comprehensive reforms, especially targeting agricultural water use, to tackle the root causes of the crisis. The worsening situation has fueled public frustration and protests similar to those seen in 2021, putting increasing pressure on the government to act decisively. More