By Pishtaz | 2026-07-10

A severe land subsidence crisis now affects nearly half of the entire population across the Islamic Republic.

According to newly released data, nearly 39 million people live in regions where the ground is steadily sinking.

Studies suggest Iran is among the world's most affected countries alongside Costa Rica, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.

This dangerous phenomenon steadily threatens urban safety, important transportation networks, vital water and power systems and ancient historic sites.

Experts widely attribute this growing environmental problem to excessive groundwater extraction and prolonged, recurring droughts.

More than 90 percent of this depleted groundwater is drawn heavily by the domestic agricultural sector.

Social media conversations highlight rising concern for major provinces such as Tehran, Isfahan and Razavi Khorasan.

Subsidence rates in these specific regions are among the highest ever recorded in modern environmental studies.

Alarming statistics reveal that more than 380 cities and 9,200 villages face direct risk from the sinking earth.

In provinces like Tehran, Kerman and Isfahan, scientists reckon land is subsiding at rates of more than 30 centimeters a year.

Many observers and scientists now describe the slow-motion geological phenomenon as a silent earthquake.

Much of the damage sustained by deep-earth layers and collapsing underground aquifers is, unfortunately, considered entirely irreversible.

University of California, Irvine professor Amir Aghakuchak notes that because land subsidence occurs incrementally, the crisis is often overlooked.

He explains that it lacks the dramatic visibility of acute disasters such as earthquakes, leading to risks being underplayed.

The structural danger multiplies because Iran sits directly on major fault lines and experiences frequent, destructive earthquakes.

Sinking ground compromises building lifelines, including vital transportation systems, water lines, wastewater systems, gas pipelines and telecommunications.

University of Colorado Boulder professor Shideh Dashti warns that settled buildings experiencing tilt and cracks are in a compromised state.

She notes that a compromised building may not have the strength to sustain minor seismic waves and could collapse.

The steadily sinking landmass creates widespread structural vulnerabilities, transforming this quiet environmental shift into an enduring threat to future generations.