Iran Races to Avert Disaster as Severe Drought Grips the Nation

As of November 17th, 2025, Iran is facing a dire water crisis, with the country experiencing one of its most severe droughts in decades. According to the National Weather Forecasting Center, nationwide rainfall has fallen roughly 89% below long-term averages, marking the driest autumn in 50 years.

The emergency has prompted authorities to take urgent action, including accelerating cloud-seeding operations and implementing water rationing in Tehran and other major cities. Officials warn that without substantial rainfall before winter, parts of the capital, home to more than 15 million people, could require partial evacuation.

The crisis has also had wider national implications, with water scarcity threatening food production, job stability, public health, and internal cohesion. As shortages worsen, they could reshape economic planning, domestic priorities, and Iran's broader position in a region already marked by volatility.

In a bid to mitigate the crisis, Iran has conducted its first cloud-seeding flight of the current water year over the Urmia Lake basin, with further operations planned for the coming weeks. The efforts aim to enhance rainfall in existing moisture-laden clouds, a common tool in regions coping with drought or chronic water shortages.