Iran’s President Warns of Possible Tehran Evacuation Amid Severe Drought
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has cautioned that Tehran may face an unprecedented water crisis, saying that without rainfall, the capital could experience strict water rationing and possibly evacuation.
Reservoirs at Historic Lows
During a visit to Sanandaj in western Iran on Thursday, Pezeshkian stated that Tehran’s water reservoirs have reached their lowest levels in a century. He described the situation as critical and demanded urgent measures to conserve water and manage existing resources more effectively.
“If it doesn’t rain, we will have to start restricting water supplies in Tehran next month. If the drought continues, we will run out of water and be forced to evacuate the city,” Pezeshkian said.
Economic and Social Strains
The president acknowledged that Iran is grappling with intertwined economic, environmental, and social challenges. He attributed surging prices and inflation to both internal policy shortcomings and the impact of international sanctions.
“High prices and inflation are the fault of both the parliament and the government. There are efforts underway, but limited financial resources mean projects remain unfinished,” he noted.
Call for Sustainable Management
Pezeshkian emphasized the necessity of improving national strategies for managing water and energy, calling the conditions in Tehran “alarming” and urging swift action to prevent deeper crises.
Author’s summary: President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that drought and mismanagement may force Tehran to ration water or evacuate, urging immediate conservation measures and better resource policy.