Increasing Gasoline Price in Iran: Social Experiment or Preparation for Fuel Price Hikes?

Sia Rajabi
-
0
Increasing Gasoline Price in Iran: Social Experiment or Preparation for Fuel Price Hikes?
In recent days, Mohsen Paknejad, the Iranian regime’s oil minister, announced the introduction of a type of “special super gasoline” to be imported by the private sector and sold at specific stations for more than 50,000 tomans (500,000 rials / $0.50) per liter. He simultaneously stressed that this has no connection to rationed gasoline or the existing prices of 1,500 and 3,000 tomans (15,000 and 30,000 rials, roughly 1.5 to 3 cents) and that the 60-liter monthly quota for vehicles will remain unchanged. On the surface, the government seems to be targeting specific consumers—particularly luxury car owners and those demanding higher-quality fuel. In reality, however, this decision raises serious questions about the future of Iran’s subsidy policies and the likelihood of a broader increase in gasoline prices. The continuous devaluation of the rial and lack of investment in refining capacity have forced the Iranian regime, despite its claims of self-sufficiency, to rely on gasoline imports. According to regime officials, about $8 billion was spent on fuel imports last year alone.

The social experiment model

In political economy, one method governments use to gauge public reaction to price reforms is through limited trial projects. The sale of imported gasoline at 50,000 tomans fits this framework. Oil officials insist that this fuel is only for specific consumers and unrelated to subsidized quotas. However, this move can be interpreted as a form of “social conditioning,” gradually nudging people to accept that the real price of fuel is far higher than current subsidized rates. From a behavioral perspective, the aim of creating a “dual pricing” system between subsidized and free-market gasoline could push society toward accepting gradual price increases. The November 2019 protests showed the regime that any sudden, across-the-board price hikes can trigger severe and costly social backlash. For this reason, establishing incremental price tiers starting with specific groups is likely the strategy the government is pursuing. In the 2019 nationwide protests, the Iranian regime killed 1,500 people.
The Anniversary of Iran’s Bloody November 2019 Protests

Budgetary pressure and political signals

Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian and members of his cabinet have repeatedly stated that they do not intend to raise fuel prices for the “underprivileged.” At the same time, however, Pezeshkian and other officials have often criticized the “disproportionate consumption of wealthier groups,” questioning why these groups should receive subsidized gasoline. This contradiction shows that while the government fears the social consequences of price hikes, it also fully recognizes that the current policy is financially and economically unsustainable. Given the regime’s chronic budget deficit, recurring energy crises in both winter and summer, and the heavy costs of fuel imports, the pressure to raise gasoline prices is greater than ever. The introduction of 50,000-toman gasoline by the private sector may be the first step in this process—a step presented as “liberalization for luxury vehicles” but one whose consequences will inevitably spread to society as a whole. Although regime officials currently insist that subsidized gasoline prices will remain unchanged, economic evidence and political signals indicate that sooner or later, the debate on raising prices will extend to the general level. Pezeshkian’s government faces a choice: either continue bearing the financial burden of fuel subsidies and cover deficits by printing money and fueling inflation or take the difficult path of price reforms. The increase in gasoline prices is less about providing a luxury fuel for certain cars and more a sign of a potential shift in the Iranian regime’s energy policies in the near future—a shift that could bring broad economic and social consequences.

Iranians Blame Secret Cryptocurrency Farms for Power Outages

Esmaeil Mohades
-
0
Iranians Blame Secret Cryptocurrency Farms for Power Outages
The specialized website Bitcoin News, in a detailed report on Iran’s growing energy crisis, identified secret cryptocurrency mining farms as the main cause of the widespread blackouts. This report, based on local sources and energy experts, claims that massive and hidden cryptocurrency mining facilities—believed to be run under the supervision of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—have placed unprecedented pressure on Iran’s already worn-out electricity infrastructure.
The Outflow of Capital from Iran Through Cryptocurrencies Increased By “70 Percent” In 2024
According to the report, large-scale, round-the-clock cryptocurrency mining operations, particularly Bitcoin, have led to excessive and uncontrolled electricity consumption on an industrial scale. Many of these farms operate in secret locations, sourcing their electricity either illegally from the public grid or at subsidized rates. This abuse has worsened blackouts across residential, commercial, and industrial areas of the country. Bitcoin News, quoting angry citizens, reported that people have been left in darkness and heat without electricity while the mining farms continue operating. A resident of Tehran said: “These power cuts are endless. I can’t take it anymore. They only mine cryptocurrency, but we are deprived of electricity.” The report also highlighted the economic consequences of the energy crisis. Power outages have reduced productivity in schools, factories, and service centers, placing additional strain on the already sanctions-hit economy. In many rural and urban areas, the lack of electricity has fueled public discontent and anger toward regime institutions. The website further wrote, based on field evidence, that state-run power plants are operating at full capacity but cannot meet the soaring demand. Some of these farms use diesel generators during peak consumption hours, which are both costly and environmentally damaging. The report emphasized that the management and oversight of cryptocurrency mining operations are largely in the hands of military and unaccountable institutions. It concluded that unless transparency, public oversight, and effective legislation are implemented, Iran’s energy crisis will not only remain unresolved but may also worsen. In November 2024, Ali Aghamohammadi, head of the economic office of Ali Khamenei (the regime’s supreme leader), called for the use of cryptocurrency to circumvent international sanctions on the Iranian regime. On the sidelines of a state event, he told reporters: “The role of cryptocurrencies in the digital economy cannot be denied. To overcome problems in sectors such as banking and financial payments, which are under sanctions, we can use digital currencies and cryptocurrencies.” He added that regime officials should take Khamenei’s recent remarks on cryptocurrencies seriously. The head of Khamenei’s economic office said that the regime’s leader “also emphasized this issue, and we must move toward ‘proper use of it.'”

Shutdown of Ferdows Hospital Operating Rooms Due to Water Outage

Jubin Katiraie
-
0
Shutdown of Ferdows Hospital Operating Rooms Due to Water Outage
The complete water outage at Ferdows Hospital, a 280-bed medical center, has left patients in need of surgery waiting for days and has forced the suspension of operating rooms. The state-run ILNA news agency reported on Thursday, August 14, that only about two years after the official opening of the 280-bed “Qassem Soleimani” Hospital in Ferdows, which was inaugurated with promises of improving healthcare services, the facility is now facing a serious water crisis, causing surgeries to be postponed due to the outage. ILNA wrote that the crisis is currently being managed through emergency water supply by fire department tankers. Fire trucks temporarily fill the hospital’s reservoir to meet part of its needs, but this solution only lasts a few hours.
Iran Regime Expediency Council Warns of Imminent Tehran Water Shortage
The agency, citing on-site observations by its reporter and statements from patients’ relatives, reported that the complete water outage has disrupted the hospital’s normal operations, leaving surgery patients in limbo. It added that all departments, from restrooms and washbasins to operating rooms, are without water. A traffic accident patient hospitalized in Ferdows told ILNA: “Since Tuesday night, August 12, after I was transferred to this hospital, they told us that the fracture surgery requiring a plate would not be performed the next day, Wednesday, because there was no water.” The patient continued: “It was planned that if the water supply returned on Thursday, August 14, the surgery would be carried out. But today, with the water still cut off, I have to wait until next week and bear the pain with painkillers.” One of the patient’s companions also told ILNA that the hospital does not even have water for basic washing. A major part of Iran’s water crisis stems from unsustainable management of resources and consumption. All natural resources in the country are controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and regime-affiliated institutions, a situation that has led to water bankruptcy and the growing electricity shortages across Iran.

Power Outages and Extreme Heat in Iran Are Claiming Lives

Mehdi Hosseini
-
0
Power Outages and Extreme Heat in Iran Are Claiming Lives
The power outage and extreme heat in Kavar, a town in Fars province, led to the deaths of two young people, aged sixteen and eighteen. These two individuals, Tara Younesi and Sadegh Khoshdel, went into a running car in their home’s garage to cool off after the power went out and their air conditioner stopped working. With the car running in the enclosed space, carbon monoxide filled the vehicle, and they suffocated from inhaling the gas. In recent weeks, frequent and widespread power outages across Iran have turned into a serious crisis affecting various aspects of people’s lives and have created problems in the healthcare sector as well.
Power Outages Return in Iran After the 12-Day War
The state-run daily Payam-e Ma wrote that the power outages have not only disrupted daily life but also hindered medical services. Patients in hospitals and even in their homes are facing the risk of losing their lives due to sudden blackouts. Accounts from medical staff portray a widespread crisis in the healthcare sector, one that extends from ICUs to operating rooms and the homes of patients dependent on medical devices. In one hospital in Tehran, a sudden blackout caused ventilators and other life-support equipment to shut down simultaneously. An ICU nurse said: “Every time the power goes out, the anxiety of patients and nurses doubles. For patients at home who depend on ventilators and suction devices, a power outage means the complete shutdown of the equipment and the risk of suffocation.” Also, according to Payam-e Ma, an operating room nurse stated: “In some cases, it takes about 30 seconds for the hospital’s electricity to be restored, and during that time, when the surgical light goes out, all doctors and technicians are forced to continue surgery using their mobile phone flashlights.” He also added: “In certain surgeries, such as cardiovascular procedures and kidney transplants, where every second is critical, power outages can cause serious problems.” In contrast, Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, Iran’s health minister, said: “So far, we have not received any reports of deaths or serious incidents caused by power outages in hospitals.” He emphasized that 10 trillion rials have been allocated for the purchase and repair of generators. However, medical staff and members of parliament say the reality is different. Salman Es’haghi, spokesperson for the parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, warned about discontent in some sectors such as dialysis, saying that power outages could lead to the shutdown or damage of devices. He emphasized that this crisis has also caused losses in the pharmaceutical production sector. According to Payam-e Ma, some pharmaceutical factories have purchased generators to prevent production stoppages, but this has led to heavy costs and may cause future drug shortages. Mohammad Abdozadeh, chairman of the Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Industry Owners, said: “Currently, for two to three days a week, power is cut off in pharmaceutical factories, which has reduced production capacity by 40%.” He explained that in one eight-hour work shift, generators consume about 1,600 liters of diesel, and the fuel cost for three days of weekly outages amounts to about 1.2 billion rials. He warned that with the continuation of power outages, coupled with problems such as gas shortages in the winter season and delays in foreign currency allocations, starting in September there will be a significant increase in drug shortages across the country. At the end of its report, Payam-e Ma, while noting that the health minister and the parliament’s Health Commission spokesperson claimed there are no reports of patients dying due to power outages, wrote that many families, in addition to worrying about surgery outcomes, are terrified of sudden blackouts. The newspaper cited a citizen on X who said: “Tomorrow my father is scheduled for surgery. I’m afraid the hospital’s power will go out while he’s in the operating room. God willing, the hospital’s electricity won’t go out tomorrow.”

Iran–China Cooperation in the Missile Field Is on the Rise

Sia Rajabi
-
0
Iran–China Cooperation in the Missile Field Is on the Rise
According to Western intelligence agencies, China’s military cooperation with the Iranian regime, particularly in the production of ballistic and surface-to-surface missiles, has increased. Western intelligence agencies, mainly European, have reported growing cooperation between Tehran and Beijing. On Friday, August 15, Yedioth Ahronoth published a report citing intelligence findings warning that Beijing may help Tehran rebuild its missile capabilities that were damaged during the twelve-day war with Israel. Senior Israeli officials said China’s intentions are not entirely clear, and Israel has conveyed messages to Beijing regarding this issue.
New U.S. Sanctions Target Iranian Regime’s Missile Network
According to them, China has not confirmed reports about its willingness to replenish missile stockpiles or send weapons to the Iranian regime. However, the country’s actions suggest the “practical rebuilding of Iran’s capabilities,” something “concerning” for Israel that could have significant strategic consequences. On July 9, the Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a statement rejecting reports about sending advanced air defense systems to Tehran, calling them “false and inaccurate.” The statement emphasized that China never exports weapons to countries that are in a state of war. Following the twelve-day war with Israel, the Iranian regime is rebuilding its defensive capabilities, with its main focus seemingly placed on acquiring new air defense systems. Israeli media reported that Tehran has been eyeing advanced Russian defense systems, but so far, Moscow’s response has been lukewarm. According to these media outlets, Russia’s cold reaction after the “heavy defeat” of the Iranian regime in the war was predictable. Previously, and especially after the failure of its proxy groups such as Hezbollah in facing Israel, the Iranian regime had tried to rebuild its missile capabilities independently. According to a senior Israeli official, after Israel’s attack on Iran in November 2024, China provided Iran with some dual-use equipment. The current concern, however, is broader and relates to the full rebuilding and expansion of the Iranian regime’s missile capabilities. In the past, turning a blind eye to the Iranian regime’s destructive activities in the region and the policy of granting concessions to it by the West enabled Tehran to advance its regional objectives. In this context, the West, by restricting Iran’s opposition, paved the way for the regime’s expansion under the illusion that it would eventually stop. However, as history has shown, this regime will never abandon these activities, and the only solution for the Middle East is the overthrow of the clerical regime by the Iranian people.

Families of Five Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death Expressed Concern Over Continued Lack of News About Them

Hoshang Amiri
-
0
Families of Five Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death Expressed Concern Over Continued Lack of News About Them
A week after the transfer of Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar, Mohammad Taghavi, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Beni-Amerian, and Babak Alipour—five political prisoners sentenced to death—from Greater Tehran Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison, there has been no information about their condition. This uncertainty about their fate has caused deep concern among their families. Judicial and security officials, along with Ghezel Hesar prison authorities, have refused to grant visits or phone calls, or to provide any answers to the families’ inquiries. On Thursday, August 14, the sister of Akbar Daneshvarkar stated that there has been no news from her brother or the other four political prisoners since August 6, and that before their transfer to an undisclosed location “with the intent to kill,” they were beaten.
Transfer of 5 Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death to Ghezel Hesar Prison
Amnesty International had earlier warned on August 8 that the transfer of these prisoners was carried out under circumstances raising fears that authorities intended to execute the five soon. After moving hundreds of political prisoners from Greater Tehran Prison (Fashafuyeh) to Evin Prison, Iran’s regime separated several death-row political prisoners from others using violence and transferred them to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj is one of the most notorious prisons in Iran, where many death sentences for prisoners with various charges are carried out. Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar, Babak Alipour, Mohammad Taghavi, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Beni-Amerian, Babak Shahbazi, and Omid Tabari-Moghadam are among the prisoners transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. On November 30, 2024, Alipour, Daneshvarkar, Beni-Amarian, Ghobadi, Taghavi, and Abolhassan Montazer were sentenced to death by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of “armed rebellion through membership in anti-regime groups.” The issuance of death sentences for these political prisoners, who have been incarcerated since fall and winter of 2023, sparked widespread reactions from political prisoners and human rights organizations. Earlier, on August 12, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, in its 81st weekly statement, referred to the sudden transfer of these five political prisoners sentenced to death. The signatories of this statement noted that Shahbazi and Tabari-Moghadam were also transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison after being beaten, declaring: “This repressive action is part of an intensified crackdown on political prisoners and the unprecedented increase in executions in the country.” According to reports by Iranian human rights organizations, around 70 prisoners across Iran’s prisons with political or security-related charges are currently at risk of having their death sentences upheld or carried out. Additionally, following the end of the recent war with Israel, Iran’s regime has intensified its crackdown on activists and increased pressure on political prisoners. On July 27, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the execution of hundreds of people in Iran following unfair and “behind closed doors” trials as deeply alarming.

US Seizes Weapons Shipments Sent by Iran’s Regime to the Houthis

Esmaeil Mohades
-
0
US Seizes Weapons Shipments Sent by Iran’s Regime to the Houthis
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the seizure of weapons shipments end route to the Houthis in Yemen, an armed group backed by Iran’s regime, and stated that the seizures were carried out by Yemen’s National Resistance Forces. In a statement on Thursday, CENTCOM said that on August 6, Yemeni security forces, in coordination with the Attorney General and Aden port authorities, seized a shipment containing drones, jet propulsion systems, wireless devices, and advanced control components destined for the Iran-backed Houthis. According to the report, the shipment, which was bound for the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah, was moved to Aden and jointly inspected by counterterrorism units, customs, and police. Yemeni officials said the shipment was part of a large smuggling network that uses the Houthi-controlled port of Al Hudaydah to transfer advanced military equipment to terrorist organizations in the region. CENTCOM stated that the seizure was carried out in support of United Nations Security Council resolutions and to reinforce Yemen’s commitment to regional stability and maritime security.
U.S. Calls for “Immediate and Decisive Action” Against Iran-Backed Houthis
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, praised the action, saying that for the second time in the past three weeks, they commend the forces of Yemen’s legitimate government for continuing to halt the flow of Iranian munitions and equipment to the Houthis. This is not the first time that shipments intended for the Houthis have been seized before reaching their destination. On July 16, 2025, U.S. Central Command announced that Yemen’s National Resistance Forces, led by General Tariq Saleh, had intercepted the largest shipment of advanced Iranian-made weapons bound for the Houthis in Yemen. On Wednesday, July 16, CENTCOM said in a statement that the shipment, weighing over 750 tons, included hundreds of advanced cruise missiles, anti-ship and anti-air missiles, warheads, guidance systems, drone engines, air defense equipment, radar systems, and communication tools. According to Yemeni forces, Persian-language manuals were found among the seized cargo, and many of the systems were manufactured by a company linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense that is under U.S. sanctions. A day later, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s regime Foreign Ministry, dismissed reports of a military shipment from Iran to Yemen for the Houthis as “baseless” and said, “This is a media campaign against Iran.” However, on July 18, The Wall Street Journal, citing multiple seizures of advanced weapons in Lebanon, Syria, and near Yemen, reported that these incidents show Iran’s regime is making a renewed effort to rearm its proxy forces. According to the report, the Iranian regime is quickly replenishing the Houthis’ weapons stockpiles following U.S. and Israeli strikes. Separately, Iran’s regime has recently been sending weapons to Hezbollah using small vehicles through Syria, whereas previously it used trucks. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Tehran, continuing its efforts to arm militant groups in the Middle East, is sending missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon and is attempting to transfer more weapons from Iraq to Syria.

Lebanese President Urges Iran’s Regime to Stop Interfering in Lebanon’s Internal Affairs

Jubin Katiraie
-
0
Lebanese President Urges Iran’s Regime to Stop Interfering in Lebanon’s Internal Affairs
The president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, in a meeting with Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s regime Supreme National Security Council, called for Tehran not to interfere in his country’s internal affairs. Arab media reported that Joseph Aoun, the president of Lebanon, in his meeting with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s regime Supreme National Security Council, requested Tehran to refrain from meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs. On Wednesday, August 13, Larijani met with the Lebanese president after arriving in Beirut.
New U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Oil Network and Hezbollah Financial Entity
According to Al Arabiya, Aoun criticized some remarks by officials of Iran’s regime during his meeting with Larijani, saying that such statements had not helped bilateral relations. Aoun also stated that no group in Lebanon is allowed to carry weapons or seek foreign support. According to this report, Larijani told Aoun that Tehran supports the decisions of the Lebanese government. After his meeting with the Lebanese president, Larijani, in response to a question about disarming Hezbollah, said: “The people of Lebanon will decide on this matter.” Coinciding with the arrival of Iran’s regime Supreme National Security Council secretary in Beirut, This Is Lebanon, one of the country’s prominent news websites, reported that Larijani was carrying messages for Hezbollah urging the group to align with the positions of Lebanon’s government. Before Larijani’s meeting with Lebanese officials, This Is Lebanon, citing sources close to the president and prime minister, wrote that they would convey a clear and firm stance to Larijani, including a direct and strongly worded protest against Iran’s recent remarks, which are considered blatant interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs. Secretary of Iran’s regime Supreme National Security Council: The suffering of the Lebanese people is our suffering. Upon arrival in Beirut, Larijani said: “We will always seek to realize Lebanon’s national interests. The suffering of the Lebanese people is our suffering, and the Iranian regime will always stand by the Lebanese nation.” He added: “If one day the Lebanese nation is in distress, we in Iran will feel this pain as well, and we will stand by the dear people of Lebanon in all circumstances.” The regional trip of this official appointed by Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s regime, in recent days has faced criticism from Lebanese parties and political figures. Some opponents of Iran’s regime’s interventions in the region described the trip as a “shameless act.” Before traveling to Beirut, Larijani visited Baghdad and signed a security memorandum of understanding between Iran’s regime and the Iraqi government. One of the main goals of this trip was to encourage Iraqi Shiite factions to push for the “approval of the Popular Mobilization Forces bill” in Iraq’s parliament. On Monday, August 11, Larijani met and held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad. According to Arab media reports, al-Sudani expressed in this meeting that he supports dialogue between the United States and Iran’s regime. These reports also stated that al-Sudani reiterated “Iraq’s principled and firm position in condemning Israeli attacks against Iran” and anything that could escalate conflicts on regional and international levels. Informed sources in Iraq believe Larijani’s regional trip is connected to concerns over Baghdad yielding to U.S. pressure regarding the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Egyptian Officials Hold Phone Talks with Iran and IAEA to Mediate

Hoshang Amiri
-
0
Egyptian Officials Hold Phone Talks with Iran and IAEA to Mediate
Egypt’s foreign ministry announced mediation efforts to resume cooperation between Iran’s regime and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after it had been halted. These contacts aimed to reduce tensions and preserve regional stability. In an official statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry said that on Tuesday, August 12, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate phone calls with Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s regime foreign minister, and Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General. According to Cairo, the purpose of these talks was to strengthen mutual trust and create a favorable environment for security and stability in the region. The Egyptian foreign minister and Grossi also discussed the latest developments regarding Iran’s nuclear file and focused on finding ways to encourage cooperation between Tehran and the IAEA.
Austrian Intelligence: Iran’s Regime is Actively Pursuing Nuclear Weapons
These contacts took place after Tehran announced that it would halt cooperation with the IAEA following the 12-day war in June. In June, Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X: “Iran will suspend cooperation with the Agency until it can ensure the security and safety of its nuclear activities.” Reports indicate that an IAEA delegation is scheduled to travel to Tehran in the coming days to assess the damage to Iran’s regime nuclear facilities. The exact date of this visit has not yet been announced. Egyptian officials have stated that they will continue their efforts to establish communication channels between Tehran and the IAEA to prevent escalation of tensions in the region. So far, Iranian officials and the Agency have not commented on the outcome of these contacts.

Iran’s Regime Insists on Retaining Nuclear Technology in Any Potential Agreement

During his visit to Cairo last month, Araghchi said: “If the United States wants to deprive us of nuclear technology, there will definitely be no agreement.” He stressed: “If the purpose of the negotiations is to deprive Iran of peaceful activities, there will definitely be no agreement, and we will never leave the negotiating table to prove our legitimacy.” Iran’s regime foreign minister said: “Regarding the Snapback, we hope European countries will not make this mistake. This would be a wrong policy and will add to the existing crises.” Araghchi added: “The Iranian nation has paid a heavy price for uranium enrichment.” These developments come as European parties to the JCPOA have recently announced that if Iran’s regime does not agree to a “satisfactory” deal, they will activate the Snapback.

Land Subsidence Warnings in Tehran and the Critical Situation of 70% of Iran’s Plains

Sia Rajabi
-
0
Land Subsidence Warnings in Tehran and the Critical Situation of 70% of Iran’s Plains
Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for Iran’s water industry, warned about the unprecedented severity of the water crisis, stating that 70% of Iran’s plains are in a “prohibited” or “critically prohibited” state and that more than 300 plains, including Tehran, face a serious risk of land subsidence. Bozorgzadeh told the state-run Payam-e Ma magazine, “The water crisis in Iran has passed the 110th minute of the game.”
Iran: Dozens of Airports, Railway Stations, and Metro Stations at Risk of Land Subsidence
He described land subsidence as a direct consequence of excessive groundwater extraction, saying that a significant part of this over-extraction has occurred due to “inefficient management, legal gaps, and a lack of coordination between responsible institutions.” Bozorgzadeh emphasized that reducing water usage in the agricultural sector is the most important solution to contain this crisis and that without decreasing the cultivated area, genuine conservation will not be possible. Somayeh Rafiei, head of the Environment Caucus in Iran’s regime Majlis (parliament), warned in May 2025 that excessive extraction of groundwater has caused land subsidence in 30 provinces and turned 66% of the country’s wetlands into dust storm hotspots.

Over-Extraction from Wells Threatens Tehran

The spokesperson for the country’s water industry referred to Iran’s Seventh Development Plan as the last opportunity to reform water resource management, warning that ignoring this chance will result in the loss of water security and pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. Bozorgzadeh, speaking about the role of Tehran’s municipality in this crisis, said that about 50 drinkable wells under the municipality’s control should be connected to the drinking water network, while the rest should be sealed to help balance the aquifer. According to him, over-extraction from these wells is one of the factors contributing to land subsidence in the capital. Soudabeh Najafi, head of the Health Committee of Tehran’s City Council, said on May 9, “According to estimates, the rate of land subsidence in Tehran reaches 24 or 25 centimeters annually.” The spokesperson for the water industry stressed that drilling and operating new wells in Tehran must be stopped, and that the use of existing water sources should only be for drinking purposes or aquifer protection. Bozorgzadeh added, “The number of wells in the Tehran aquifer exceeds its capacity, and this issue has intensified land subsidence.” Previously, Mehdi Chamran, head of Tehran’s City Council, had said, “Land subsidence exists in the country and affects subway tunnels, and for this reason, we are concerned.”
1...686970...3,779Page 69 of 3,779