By Faisal Abu Bakr | 2026-06-19

Worsening water shortages now risk mass depopulation across several major Iranian cities due to drought and critical over-extraction of groundwater.

Experts attribute this dangerous situation to chronic government mismanagement and consistently poor strategic national planning for decades.

The Islamic Republic decisively diverted the country’s resources toward armament and regional conflicts instead of essential development projects and vital public services.

Official reports confirm that Tehran, Mashhad, Karaj, Arak, and Saveh are currently facing mounting and unsustainable levels of extreme water stress.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly warned that Tehran could become severely depopulated if current lack of rainfall persists.

Economist Abdul Aziz Thabet argues that drought alone does not sufficiently explain the unprecedented scale and depth of this severe national crisis.

"The situation is a direct result of misplaced priorities, favoring ideological and military projects over sustainable water initiatives," he said.

The government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have consistently favored regional conflicts and security apparatuses over crucial domestic infrastructure investment.

This priority betrayal, compounded by administrative corruption, actively hinders the effective implementation of necessary strategic water projects.

Mismanagement, industrial pollution, unsustainable agricultural expansion, and high distribution loss have further deepened the disaster.

Achieving long-term water security demands a robust shift in national resources toward climate change adaptation and future sustainability.

Experts caution that placing the burden of scarcity solely on citizens will dangerously heighten existing social and political tensions.

Societal stability relies on the state providing essential services and protecting natural resources, not just on military capabilities.