Water crisis deepens across Iran

Iran is grappling with its worst water crisis in decades, and officials warn that if the drought sweeping the country continues, Tehran – a city of more than 10 million – may soon become uninhabitable

Tehran: Five major dams feeding capital – Amir Kabir, Lar, Latian, Taleqan and Mamloo – average only around 10% capacity

Mashhad: Four main dams supplying Iran’s second-largest city of 4 million holding less than 3% of their capacity

Main reservoirs or dams
60 miles
100km
IRAN
Caspian Sea
Persian Gulf
IRAQ
SAUDI ARABIA
TÜRKIYE
TURKMENISTAN
PAKISTAN
KUWAIT
Esteghlal
Kahir
Sarni Jegin
Kineh Vars
Azad
Saveh
Voshmgir
Zayanderud
Maroun
Delvari
Kamal
15th Khordad
Qom
Isfahan
Lake Urmia
Taham
Dez
Shamil / Nian
Tangoueieh
Nesa
Doosti
Torgh
Kardeh
Ardak
Amir Kabir
Lar
Mamloo
Latian
Taleqan

IRAN’S RESERVOIR  CAPACITY
Total: 50.5  billion m³

Diminished water levels at Amir Kabir dam on Jun 1, 2025

Nov 2025: Country’s 193 reservoirs hold 17.12 billion m3 of water – just 33% of total capacity

Nineteen major dams – around 10% of total – have effectively run dry

Empty: 67%

Sources: Reuters, BBC, NIAC
Picture: Getty Images
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