In the province of Khuzestan, where 74% of Iran’s oil is produced, water scarcity and poor air quality have made life increasingly untenable for the inhabitants.

The region suffers from protracted water stress, compounded by dust storms and extreme heatwaves. Many of its nearly 5 million people are considering migrating to other provinces with higher standards of living. The government has not made investments in the outdated infrastructure of the oil-rich region.  

Earlier in September, the government announced the completion of Qadir, which the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) described as the “biggest water supply project of the century.” Drinking water will be made available to nearly 52% of the residents of  Khuzestan in 26 cities and more than 1,000 villages. The project was completed after a 12-year holdup. But the positive impact is not immediately verifiable. 

The poverty rate in Khuzestan, bordering the Persian Gulf and home to nearly 500 oil wells, is 35%, above the national average of 31.4%. Unemployment at 12.6% is the third highest nationally, and the locals  are complaining about provincial authorities' corruption, megalomania and nepotism.