The recent protests in Iran highlight a mix of anger over economic issues and political oppression. However, an often-overlooked factor driving this unrest is the country’s severe ecological crisis.
For years, the Iranian government has ignored environmental scientists, jailed activists, and promoted harmful development projects. This neglect has led to a water crisis so dire that President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that residents of Tehran might have to leave the city as it sinks from dried-up aquifers.
The situation is not just confined to Tehran. Lake Urmia, once one of the largest salt lakes in the world, has shrunk to less than 10% of its original size. The Zayandeh River has been dry for years. In Khuzestan, a region home to Iran’s Arab minority, state-controlled water diversions have wrecked local economies and heightened ethnic tensions.
Eric Lob, an expert from the Carnegie Middle East Program, emphasizes that environmental issues are closely tied to the broader concerns of citizens. He explains, “These grievances are all interconnected.” The deteriorating infrastructure and poor irrigation have left farmers unable to cultivate crops, forcing cities to ration water. Thousands die prematurely each year from pollution-related health issues, and citizens constantly worry about having enough water for daily needs.
In many areas, water has become a tool for political power. Ethnic minorities often find their resources redirected to central provinces that favor the Persian majority. For instance, in Khuzestan, water has been diverted from the Karun River to serve larger agricultural and industrial interests in Tehran, disregarding local communities’ needs.
Recent protests in Sistan and Baluchestan echoed these sentiments. Protesters held signs stating, “Sistan is thirsty for water.” Lob connects past water protests to the current uprising, noting that when resources are scarce, social and economic grievances merge.
Student groups have also pointed out that Iran’s ecological disasters are leading to unrest. They argue that the combination of poverty, inequality, and environmental crises stems from a corrupt system struggling to adapt.
The ongoing protests, which began in late December, are among the largest since the unrest of 2022-2023. In response, the government has cut internet access and launched violent crackdowns, with reports suggesting thousands have been killed or arrested. The regime has a notorious history of executing protestors.
Historically, after the 1979 revolution, Iran’s government invested in rural development efforts to bolster its legitimacy. Unfortunately, this led to the rise of a “water mafia” that prioritized profit over sustainable practices. Such actions have intensified the crisis, especially as climate change brings longer droughts and exacerbates resource scarcity.
Repressions extend to those trying to advocate for change. Notable figures, like wildlife conservationist Niloufar Bayani and water management expert Kaveh Madani, have faced severe state backlash for raising alarms about environmental issues. Madani, for example, was forced into exile after suggesting that Iran reduce its reliance on large dams, which threatened the interests of powerful state actors.
Iran’s water challenges are echoed globally, spanning regions from Iraq to parts of the United States. Lob notes that governments everywhere are struggling to manage dwindling water supplies and the resulting social unrest, a matter complicated by corruption and bad governance.
In Iran, the agriculture sector consumes most of the nation’s water, frequently in wasteful ways. Years of short-sighted solutions have deepened this crisis, impacting farmers and rural areas disproportionately. As Lob points out, the intersection of water rights, pollution, and climate change raises pressing questions about governance and the legitimacy of the regime.
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Drought,Environmental Justice,Iran,Masoud Pezeshkian,Middle East,water shortages
