The ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States has exacerbated an already dire water crisis in the country. As negotiations to end the three-month war unfold,Iran grapples with severe water shortages,worsened by attacks on critical infrastructure,including desalination plants and pipelines . These assaults have compounded effects of a multi-year drought that has left reservoirs and rivers nearly depleted.
Iran's water resources are under immense strain. The nation has faced five consecutive years of drought, with its main water supplies dwindling due to mismanagement and climate change. By November 2025,the situation had reached a critical point, with the Amir Kabir Dam in Tehran holding only 8 percent of its capacity . Across the country,19 major dams had run dry . President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that without rain by December,water rationing would be necessary, and evacuations might follow . Although evacuations were averted,protests erupted in December 2025 and January 2026,driven by worsening living conditions and inflation .
Several factors contribute to Iran's water crisis. Climate change has altered rainfall patterns, leading to prolonged droughts and increased evaporation rates. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution,Iran has emphasized self-sufficiency, prioritizing food security over sustainable water management. This focus has resulted in the promotion of water-intensive crops like rice in unsuitable areas. International sanctions have further hindered efforts to modernize water infrastructure. Subsidized water pricing has encouraged excessive irrigation and over-extraction, with self-sufficiency policies accounting for about 90 percent of the nation’s water use.
The Zayandeh Rud river in Isfahan exemplifies the crisis. Water-intensive industries and agricultural expansion along the river have caused it to dry up for most of the year. The situation has led to public outcry,with protests in 2018 and 2021 highlighting government mismanagement of water resources.
The war has intensified these challenges . On March 7, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported that a US airstrike had targeted a desalination plant on Qeshm Island,affecting water supplies for 30 villages. While the full impact of attacks on energy infrastructure remains to be seen,the ongoing conflict threatens to divert resources away from reconstruction efforts, further complicating the water crisis.
Environmental issues have also arisen from the war, including air pollution from burning oil and gas facilities. A recent analysis indicated that between February 28 and March 14,the conflict released nearly 5.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases due to the destruction of infrastructure .
In response to the escalating crisis, Iran has initiated cloud seeding efforts, aiming to induce rainfall and mitigate the drought . Authorities are also considering penalties for households and businesses that excessively consume water. President Pezeshkian has called for stricter regulations against unauthorized well drilling and has urged the adoption of modern agricultural technologies,including greenhouse cultivation and hydroponic systems.
As Iran navigates the dual challenges of war and water scarcity,the government faces mounting pressure to address the underlying issues contributing to the crisis. path ahead remains fraught with difficulties,as both environmental and infrastructural challenges threaten nation’s water security.
