Broken dams, broken trust: How Iran’s water crisis and heatwave have sparked emergency
Water and electricity shortages are reaching crisis levels across Iran, triggering widespread public service disruptions and forcing industrial closures. As reservoirs rapidly deplete and rolling blackouts increase, mismanagement and delayed reforms are being laid bare.
TEHRAN — As a searing heatwave grips Iran, the country is descending deeper into an environmental and infrastructural crisis, with unprecedented electricity blackouts, water shortages and collapsing public trust converging into a perfect storm.
From Tehran to Khuzestan, water taps are slowly running dry, power is out for several hours a day and businesses are struggling to stay open.
At least 18 of the country's 31 provinces will be forced to fully or partially shut down on Wednesday due to energy shortages and extreme heat.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged the crisis on Tuesday, stating that closures may continue "if necessary" to conserve water and power. But on social media, many citizens saw the emergency measures as signs of panic — not planning — in an already "broken" system.
