The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has issued a stark warning about the country’s deepening water crisis, revealing that major dams supplying the capital city, Tehran, could run completely dry in a matter of months if urgent measures are not taken. The alarming disclosure has sparked nationwide concern, with environmental experts and government agencies now on high alert.
According to recent figures provided by Iranian authorities, the average water level across the country’s reservoirs has dropped to just 44 percent of their total capacity. This is a worrying sign, especially as Iran continues to grapple with years of drought, mismanaged water resources, and the growing impacts of climate change.
The president, speaking during a national broadcast, called for immediate and collective action, warning that Tehran’s critical water infrastructure is under severe pressure. He emphasized that without significant rainfall or effective water conservation strategies, the capital, which houses over 9 million residents, could face severe shortages in the near future.
This development adds to the growing list of environmental challenges confronting Iran, which include desertification, shrinking lakes, and rising temperatures. Analysts say the country’s water crisis has been years in the making, fuelled by population growth, outdated irrigation practices, and over-extraction from both surface and underground water sources.
The government is now urging citizens to reduce water usage and has directed local authorities to enforce stricter regulations on consumption. Plans are also underway to invest in water recycling technologies, repair ageing infrastructure, and promote more sustainable agricultural methods. However, experts warn that unless there is a structural shift in national water policy, Iran’s urban centres—particularly Tehran—may continue to teeter on the edge of environmental instability.
As the crisis unfolds, the Iranian leadership has appealed for public cooperation and pledged to keep citizens informed of evolving risks and emergency measures. The warning from the presidency serves as a sobering reminder of the escalating climate and resource pressures confronting not only Iran, but much of the Middle East.
