Iran’s worst water crisis, with Tehran reservoirs at 10%, stems from decades of systemic mismanagement and the “Water Mafia.”
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Iran’s worst water crisis, with Tehran reservoirs at 10%, stems from decades of systemic mismanagement and the “Water Mafia.”
The crisis stems from unsustainable demand, prolonged drought, and chronic mismanagement. Necessary reforms—like raising prices or cutting subsidies—would undercut the regime’s political economy and could trigger unrest, leaving the government with few palatable options to keep Tehran habitable.