Iran Faces Unprecedented Water Crisis as Heatwave Forces Capital Shutdown and Sparks Protests

Iran is grappling with a severe water crisis exacerbated by an intense heatwave, leading to widespread water and electricity shortages across the country.

Authorities have closed government offices, banks, and businesses in Tehran and multiple provinces to conserve resources, while urging citizens to limit water use as reservoir levels hit their lowest in a century. President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the crisis could force the relocation of Tehran's 15 million residents if conditions do not improve. The shortages have triggered public protests, particularly in cities like Sabzevar, where government crackdowns have fueled further unrest.

Experts and officials cite decades of mismanagement, drought, and climate change as key drivers of the crisis, with the government now considering water imports and even moving the capital.