Iran Turns To Neighbors For Help As Water Crisis Intensifies

[Passages]

December 05, 2025 12:39 CET
By Kian Sharifi

snip*

This year is being called one of the driest in Iran in over half a century. Rainfall has dropped dramatically, and major dams are running dangerously low. Underground water supplies have been drained for years, and cities like Tehran are already dealing with water rationing. It's not just a drought anymore; it's a full-blown crisis.

Now, instead of relying solely on building more dams or asking people to save water, the plan includes importing water from neighbors who have surplus, if they're willing to sell. There's also the idea of "virtual water," which means importing water-intensive products rather than producing them domestically, saving precious water inside Iran.

Why It Matters: This move is basically an admission that the old ways aren't working. It's a reality check for the government and the public. Sure, there are other water-saving measures in play -- like cloud seeding and recycling -- but the big picture calls for bigger changes, especially in farming and industry.

For many Iranians, hearing that the country might have to buy water feels like a shock. Iran has long been proud of its self-sufficiency. Now, the water crisis is forcing a rethink.

https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing-iran-water-crisis-import-neighbors/33612851.html

[Ray Bruns]

1. Maybe if they had spent some of that money used to build a nuclear weapons program for water

They wouldn’t be in this mess. But as an American, I won’t be lecturing anyone about insane military spending.