Iran is facing one of the most severe water crises in its modern history, driven by a combination of prolonged drought, climate change, and decades of mismanagement of water resources. While declining rainfall has played a significant role, experts argue that policy failures such as unchecked groundwater extraction, inefficient irrigation systems, and extensive dam construction have sharply worsened the situation. These factors have depleted rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers, pushing the country to consider unprecedented measures to secure water supplies.
In early December, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi confirmed that Iran is exploring agreements to import water from neighbouring countries as a way to address critically low water levels. Officials and analysts view this move as an acknowledgment that domestic resources can no longer meet national demand. Some experts suggest Afghanistan as a potential source, citing its river systems, although such proposals raise complex political and environmental challenges.
The decision to consider water imports marks a significant shift away from Iran’s long-standing emphasis on self-sufficiency and reliance on internal resources. It reflects official recognition that conventional domestic solutions have failed to keep pace with growing demand and worsening climatic conditions. The country is currently experiencing what authorities describe as its driest year in more than 50 years, with rainfall well below average and reservoirs approaching critical thresholds.
Major urban centres, including Tehran, have already implemented water rationing, while satellite imagery has revealed dramatic declines in water levels across lakes and reservoirs nationwide. Lake Urmia, once one of Iran’s largest inland bodies of water, has shrunk drastically over the past decade and now faces the risk of disappearing altogether without urgent intervention. Experts link these developments to both climate-driven drought and long-term mismanagement of water resources.
Critics argue that government policies have intensified the crisis, pointing to excessive groundwater pumping that has caused land subsidence and further reduced natural recharge of aquifers. Analysts stress that mismanagement, rather than natural scarcity alone, is a central driver of the emergency. While the government has announced efforts to reform consumption patterns and modernise infrastructure, many experts believe these measures fall short of the structural reforms required.
One of the most sensitive aspects of Iran’s strategy involves potential water imports from Afghanistan, with which it shares several transboundary rivers. Disputes over water flows, particularly under a long-standing treaty governing the Helmand River, have strained relations in recent years. Any agreement would need to balance Iran’s urgent needs with Afghanistan’s own water challenges and political considerations.
Beyond physical water transfers, Iranian officials are also promoting the concept of “virtual water” by increasing imports of water-intensive goods. This approach aims to conserve domestic water by relying more on foreign production of crops and products that require large volumes of water. Such a shift represents a departure from decades of agricultural policy focused on food self-sufficiency, which experts now argue is unsustainable under current hydrological conditions.
The crisis is already affecting daily life across the country. Urban residents face frequent pressure drops and intermittent supply cuts, prompting many households to install water storage tanks. In rural and agricultural regions, farmers are grappling with crop failures and reduced hydroelectric power generation, threatening food security and livelihoods. These impacts have fuelled public criticism of environmental governance and preparedness.
Iran’s consideration of water imports highlights the depth of a crisis that could have lasting social, economic, and demographic consequences. With climate projections pointing to continued aridity and rising temperatures across the region, the country faces mounting pressure to implement fundamental changes in water, energy, and agricultural management. Whether these new strategies can prevent broader environmental and social disruption remains an open and urgent question.
