Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian regime’s water industry, warned about the “water shortage crisis in Tehran,” stating that if water consumption is not reduced, “Tehran will reach a dead end in terms of water supply.”
In an interview with the state-run ILNA news agency, Bozorgzadeh stated, “If citizens do not change their lifestyle and water consumption is not reduced by half, Tehran will face a severe crisis.”
The pressure on people to change their lifestyle and water consumption patterns comes amid numerous reports highlighting the Iranian regime’s failure in managing water and energy resources across various ministries.
Without analyzing the political and economic causes of water scarcity, Bozorgzadeh stated that solving Tehran’s water crisis is not merely a matter of financial investment. He promised that “comprehensive and specialized programs must be developed for water resource management.”
According to the water industry spokesperson, part of Tehran’s water supply comes from surrounding areas, which has negatively impacted agriculture and industries in those regions.
Regarding the relocation of the capital as a potential solution to ease pressure on Tehran’s water resources, Bozorgzadeh said, “This issue requires in-depth expert evaluations, as both supporters and opponents have noteworthy arguments.”
Referring to climate change, he stated, “Iran is a country with an arid and semi-arid climate, receiving an average of about 250 millimeters of rainfall per year. These natural limitations do not allow for the sustainable development of megacities like Tehran.”
He also cited air pollution, population density, and infrastructure problems as additional challenges facing Tehran, emphasizing the need for fundamental decisions and efficient urban development management.
He stressed that the water shortage issue extends beyond Tehran’s city limits and will impact other parts of the country as well.
Meanwhile, due to a significant decline in rainfall this year and rising temperatures, Iran’s water resources are on the verge of a severe crisis, with media outlets reporting the possibility of water rationing in the summer.
According to the latest statistics, by the end of January, six of the country’s key dams contained less than 10 million cubic meters of water.
Experts have warned that this decline in reserves poses a serious threat to the agricultural sector in addition to its direct impact on household consumption. Moreover, disruptions in crop and orchard production could lead to further increases in food prices and exacerbate inflation in the medium term.
