TEHRAN — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning that Tehran could soon face an unprecedented water crisis if the ongoing drought persists. Speaking during a visit to Sanandaj, he said the government is under immense pressure to tackle simultaneous economic, environmental, and social challenges, with the city’s main reservoir now holding only two weeks’ worth of water.
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Calling the drought one of Iran’s gravest natural threats, President Pezeshkian cautioned that if rain does not arrive soon, Tehran’s water distribution will be restricted next month. “If this drought persists, we will run out of water, and evacuating the city might become inevitable,” he warned, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The president urged immediate improvements in the management and conservation of the country’s dwindling water and energy resources, describing the crisis as “deeply alarming.” His remarks reflect growing concern across the nation as climate change and poor resource management exacerbate water shortages.
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Tehran’s water supply relies on five major dams—Lar, Mamloo, Amir Kabir, Taleghan, and Latian—but levels have dropped to their lowest point in a century. Amir Kabir, the largest of these, is nearing depletion. The Tehran Water Authority recently confirmed that the city’s remaining reserves can only sustain demand for about two more weeks, urging citizens to reduce consumption as much as possible.