Iran Warns of Water Crisis as Dams Near Empty

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the capital, Tehran, and other parts of the country could run out of dam water by early autumn if urgent steps are not taken to curb excessive water usage. The warning follows five years of persistent drought and a staggering 40% decline in rainfall over the last four months, according to Iranian meteorological data.

“In Tehran, if we cannot manage and people do not cooperate in controlling consumption, there won’t be any water in dams by September or October,” Pezeshkian said on Thursday, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Chronic Mismanagement and Overconsumption

Natural resource mismanagement and overconsumption have long plagued Iran, leading to repeated shortages of water, gas, and electricity during peak months. Environmental Protection Organization director Sheena Ansari blamed the crisis on decades of neglect of sustainable development. “We are now facing numerous environmental problems like water stress,” she said.

The agriculture sector, which uses about 80% of the country’s water, remains a critical bottleneck for reform. Meanwhile, Mohsen Ardakani, head of Tehran’s water utility, stated that 70% of residents are consuming more than the standard 130 liters of water per day.

Policy Responses and Public Pushback

President Pezeshkian has rejected short-term measures such as midweek holidays to reduce consumption, calling them “a cover-up and not a solution.” Iran saw water-related protests in 2021, particularly in its southwest, highlighting the political risk posed by environmental mismanagement.

As the crisis escalates, experts warn that only sweeping reforms in water infrastructure, agricultural practices, and public awareness campaigns can prevent a full-blown emergency in one of the region’s most water-stressed nations.