Tehran No Longer Has Water: Capital May Relocate, Says President Pezeshkian

Tehran is facing a severe water shortage, and the crisis could force its 15 million residents to relocate. This announcement was made by Iranian President Mahsoud Pezeshkian, as reported by Asr-Iran news agency.

“The situation is serious, and Tehran really has no more water,” said the president, adding that the relocation of the capital as an emergency solution cannot be ruled out.

Iran is experiencing a water crisis in more than 20 of its 31 provinces. According to the state-owned IRNA agency, one of the country’s largest reservoirs could completely dry up in the coming weeks. Water levels in the country’s seven reservoirs have dropped to below 10 percent, two dams in the southern Hormozgan and Fars provinces have fully dried up, and 80 percent of the country’s reservoirs are nearly empty.

Pezeshkian attributes the crisis to the droughts of recent years while also criticizing the previous government for allegedly ignoring the issue.

Due to the water shortage, governmental offices and schools in Iran will remain closed at least until Saturday, factories have been shut down, and mass layoffs are expected.