Iran seeks to purchase water from nearby nations

The Iranian authorities are considering importing water from neighboring nations as the country grapples with an ongoing drought. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi stated that Tehran is open to acquiring water from any country willing to sell it, according to the Fars news agency.

In addition to direct water imports, Iran is also looking at sourcing products that require large amounts of water to produce. While most neighboring countriesincluding Iraq, Afghanistan, and areas along the Pakistani borderare similarly facing water shortages, Armenia to the north possesses comparatively abundant water resources.

Iran ranks among the driest countries globally, with rainfall decreasing sharply in recent years and extreme weather events becoming more frequent. Experts have repeatedly highlighted the negative impact of agricultural policies, which have encouraged the cultivation of water-intensive crops instead of promoting practices suited to the arid climate. This has led to long-term soil degradation and dwindling water reserves, forcing thousands of rural families to abandon their lands.

According to UN expert Kaveh Madani, writing in Forbes, the nation is enduring its sixth straight year of drought. While climate change contributes to the problem, he emphasizes that poor water management has been a major factor. Madani warns that Iran is no longer facing a mere water shortage but a systemic "water insolvency," caused by extracting more water than nature can replenish over time.

He calls for comprehensive reforms and drastic water-saving measures in agriculture, which consumes roughly 90% of the countrys water supply.

Author: Benjamin Carter