A Devastating Drought in Iran
A view of Amir Kabir Dam, one of the five main reservoirs supplying water to Tehran, as the Iranian capital faces one of its most severe water crises in recent years, with dam levels dropping to historic lows Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption
A long lasting drought and severe heat this summer, compounded with government mismanagement of the country’s dams have led to an impending water crisis in Iran. Officials are warning that the approximately ten million residents of the country’s capital, Tehran, might run out of water in a matter of weeks. We hear how this has happened and what it means for Iranians.
Correction Aug. 19, 2025
A previous web summary of this report incorrectly said that all of Iran was at risk of running out of water in a matter of weeks and that the nation has 10 million residents. In fact, all of Iran is experiencing the drought and it is the capital, Tehran, that is at risk of running out of water. That city has approximately 10 million residents.