Tehran, the capital of Iran with about 10 million residents, is currently facing one of the most severe water shortages in its history. In response, the government has implemented emergency measures, enforcing nighttime water shutoffs, usually from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning. The policy aims to curb consumption and stabilize the supply system as the city’s main reservoirs near their limits. Government officials cite the causes of this water shortage as prolonged drought, reduced rainfall, and rising demand.
This is not the first time that water scarcity has sparked nationwide concern. In 2021, severe water shortages in the southwestern province of Khuzestan left residents without drinking water and devastated agriculture, triggering large-scale protests. The demonstrations quickly spread to other provinces, including Isfahan and Tehran, exposing deep frustration with poor environmental management and government inaction. The security forces’ violent response highlighted how environmental crises in Iran often escalate into broader political and social unrest.
While public discontent continues, Iranian media have mainly explained the current water shortage in terms of factors such as overconsumption, managerial shortcomings, and insufficient rainfall, placing little emphasis on a direct connection to global climate change. This coverage appears to localize responsibility and divert attention from structural factors such as fossil-fuel dependence and carbon emissions. Iran is among the world’s top 10 countries in carbon emissions and relies heavily on oil and gas production, which further accelerates the warming trend that is worsening regional drought.
Moreover, under the pressure of economic sanctions by the UN Security Council and the United States, Iran has few viable economic alternatives and remains unable to break away from reliance on fossil fuels despite the environmental consequences. Unless this dependency is transformed, the recurring water crises in Iran will become even more severe, continuing to threaten both environmental sustainability and political stability.
Learn more about the issues Iran faces → “The Iranian government in crisis”
Learn more about global water issues → “Water conflicts around the world: The unreported facts”
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