Iran Turns To Water Imports As Crisis Deepens

"In an unprecedented move, Iran is looking to import water as an official strategy to confront one of the worst water crises in its modern history, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced on December 3. The move comes as Iran faces what officials say is the driest year in more than half a century. Nationwide rainfall has plummeted, reservoirs behind major dams are approaching critical levels, and decades of over-extraction have depleted aquifers. Large cities, including the capital, Tehran, have already introduced water rationing."

"The new strategy envisions purchasing surplus water from willing neighbors and expanding imports of water-intensive goods to conserve domestic resources, which is known as "virtual water" transfer. The concept of "virtual water," which refers to outsourcing water consumption by importing crops or products that require large amounts of water to produce, marks a significant departure from the Islamic republic's long-standing emphasis on agricultural self-sufficiency. Most of Iran's neighbors, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan's border regions, are themselves struggling with drought and water scarcity."

Iran is seeking to import water and expand imports of water-intensive goods as an official strategy to address one of the worst water crises in its modern history. Nationwide rainfall has plummeted, reservoirs are near critical levels, and aquifers are depleted following decades of over-extraction. Large cities, including Tehran, have introduced water rationing. Authorities plan to purchase surplus water from willing neighbors and rely more on virtual water—outsourcing water consumption by importing crops and products that require large amounts of water. Most neighbors face their own water shortages, complicating potential agreements.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty