Iran in a state of emergency: the countdown to water catastrophe

The water crisis in Iran is escalating dramatically. Persistent drought and overburdened infrastructure are pushing the country to the brink of a national catastrophe. According to the state newspaper Ettelaat, several reservoirs are close to drying up—in Tehran and the central provinces, in many places only the “dead volume” remains, meaning water that is no longer usable.

To prevent a complete collapse of supply, the regime is resorting to drastic measures: in the metropolis of Tehran, water is shut off in the evening and only turned on again in the morning. Residents are being asked to store water in bathtubs and containers—a symbol of the new everyday reality in the city.

Structural failures fueling the crisis

In addition to the drought, structural problems are contributing significantly to the crisis. Tehran’s water infrastructure was designed for five million people, but today, over 15 million people live there. Compounding this is the enormous consumption in agriculture, where outdated irrigation systems waste valuable resources.

Politically, the pressure is mounting: critics accuse the Iranian regime of investing billions in regional conflicts instead of its own population. Observers warn that if the situation worsens further, social unrest could erupt. A deep gap in equity already exists: while residents in wealthy neighborhoods barely restrict their high consumption, poorer families struggle for the daily minimum.

Images of despair and an unrelenting clock

The images of empty reservoirs and dried-up rivers, such as at the Latyan Dam near Tehran, speak volumes—the “Countdown to Catastrophe” is underway, and the clock is ticking relentlessly. This environmental disaster is now a pressing social and political issue for the Iranian people.

Call to action: amplify the iranian water crisis

The severe water shortages in Iran are a matter of public health and human security. The regime’s structural negligence exacerbates the suffering of millions.

Join Verein Welle in raising global awareness about the environmental and human rights crisis unfolding in Iran. Share this report to ensure the world recognizes the severity of this impending catastrophe and the need for accountability.