Final opportunity: discussions regarding the UN Plastic Treaty
In August 2025, Iran is grappling with a severe water crisis that shows no signs of abating. The situation has worsened sharply this year due to a combination of severe drought, over-extraction of groundwater, and mismanagement.
Key dam reservoirs, such as the Karaj Dam, have dropped drastically, currently standing at only 7% of their capacity. This overuse of groundwater has also led to accelerated land subsidence in urban areas, with parts of Tehran sinking by over 25 cm annually.
Agriculture, which consumes more than 90% of Iran’s freshwater but contributes a relatively small share of GDP, is a significant policy-driven factor exacerbating the crisis. Authorities have warned that water rationing may soon be unavoidable, especially as Tehran’s demand is about five times the national average.
Public dissatisfaction is growing, evident in protests against water shortages and power blackouts around the country. There are also concerns over the industrial and economic impacts if energy shortages continue.
Meanwhile, across the Mediterranean, forest fires are currently threatening Southern Europe. In Turkey, the number of deaths due to these fires is on the rise.
On a different note, climate protection measures have been implemented in the USA due to the threat posed by greenhouse gases to public health and well-being. However, the proposed removal of the assessment of greenhouse gases by the US government is not directly related to the water crisis in Iran.
In Tehran, the capital city, public toilets have been closed due to the water crisis, adding to the hardships faced by the city's residents.
As the water crisis in Iran deepens, it poses a significant challenge to the system, threatening public health, stability, and the well-being of its citizens.
The water crisis in Iran, a result of agricultural practices consuming excess freshwater and mismanagement, has triggered public dissatisfaction, as evident in protests against water shortages. This crisis, also impacting general-news and politics, poses a significant challenge to the system, threatening public health, stability, and the well-being of its citizens.
Simultaneously, the ongoing drought and water mismanagement in Iran have led to the closure of public toilets in Tehran, adding to the hardships faced by its residents, further drawing attention to the severity of the water crisis.
