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The water threat in Iran

Water scarcity is becoming a source of popular frustration with the government in parts of Iran.
A general view shows a dried-up water canal in Eghlid in the southern Iranian province of Fars on July 8, 2008. According to local legend, Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, abhorred the telling of lies, which he believed to be his people's worst enemy. It is said that next in line was drought. Little has changed for the modern-day descendants of those who lived 2,500 years ago in what is now Iran. Eghlid has 11 rivers -- but 10 of them have now run dry. The agricultural town's altitude of 2,23

When it comes to public protests in Iran, the first thing that usually comes to mind is politics. These days, there is a new reason: water scarcity. If this situation does not improve, it could turn into a major source of violence and instability in the country. On at least one occasion this year, it already has.

In March, after a week of demonstrations, violent clashes erupted in the town of Varzaneh in Iran’s Esfahan province between protesters and security forces. The clashes led to dozens being injured and more being arrested. The cause was the government decision to divert water from Esfahan province to Yazd province. The protesters saw the move as unfair, as Esfahan province is experiencing a drought. Esfahan’s own famous Zayande Roud river has dried up. My father almost drowned swimming in this river during his teenage years in the 1940s. These days, the river is so dry that you can go horseback riding in the very same spot.

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