Iran's Water Crisis Deepens: Evacuation of Tehran Reportedly Under Consideration

WISE NEWS PRESS / TEHRAN, IRAN — Nov. 12, 2025

Drought has rendered the Iranian capital, Tehran, with a population exceeding 10 million, almost uninhabitable. President Mesud Pezeshkian warned that if rain does not fall by December, the controlled distribution of water would be initiated, and sustained drought could necessitate the evacuation of citizens.

President Mesud Pezeshkian announced that if precipitation does not occur by December, controlled water rationing would begin in Tehran. He added that if rain still fails to fall in December, the rationing would prove insufficient.

"If it doesn't rain again, then we will have no water left at all. Citizens will have to evacuate Tehran," Pezeshkian stated.

The consequences of water scarcity could be severe for Iran's religious leadership. In 2021, water scarcity led to violent protests in the southern Khuzestan province. Previously, farmers have repeatedly protested, accusing authorities of implementing poor water management policies.

More Than Just Drought: Poor Management

The water crisis in Tehran is not solely a result of climate change and reduced rainfall in recent years. Decades of poor water management, including the construction of excessive numbers of dams, illegally drilled wells, and inefficient agricultural practices, have led to the depletion of water reserves.

The Pezeshkian administration justifies the water crisis by citing "policies of past governments, climate change, and excessive water consumption." However, the scarcity is further intensifying the unrest and backlash among the Iranian population, who are already grappling with the consequences of heavy sanctions imposed due to the country's nuclear program.

Public Reaction Grows

Hour-long water cuts in Tehran are making the daily lives of families increasingly difficult. While Iran's national water company denied reports that controlled water rationing had officially begun in Tehran, it confirmed that water pressure is reduced at night and cuts are implemented in certain neighborhoods. President Pezeshkian had previously urged against excessive water consumption during the extreme heat of July.

Dams are Drying Up

The capital's water resources are supplied by five dams fed by rivers outside the city. However, due to reduced rainfall and insufficient preventative measures, the water flow into these dams has sharply declined.

Behzad Parsa, Chairman of the Tehran Regional Water Company, announced last week that water levels in the dams had dropped by 43% compared to the previous year. Parsa stated that the Tehran dams, which once had a total storage capacity of approximately 500 million cubic meters, now hold only 250 million cubic meters. Given the current consumption rates, this water quantity could be depleted within two weeks.

Furthermore, water scarcity is not limited to the capital but has spread across nearly all cities and towns in Iran. A total of 19 large dams nationwide have effectively dried up. Water reserves in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city with a population of 4 million, have fallen below 3%.

www.wisenewspress.com