Satellite Photos Reveal Iran's Devastating Water Crisis
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
New satellite photos show the scale of Iran's worsening water crisis, revealing stark declines in two of Tehran's key drinking water reservoirs and in Lake Urmia, once a thriving inland sea.
The capital's reserves from nearby dams have plunged to historic lows, threatening millions of residents. Masoud Pezeshkian, the country's president, recently warned that without urgent conservation, Tehran could face severe shortages in the coming weeks.
"There won't be any water in dams by September or October" if consumption is not reduced, Pezeshkian said.
Newsweek has reached out to Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment.
Two cab drivers cool off during a heatwave in the Iranian capital. The metropolis of millions is facing a water crisis, 21 July, 2025, Iran, Tehran.
Two cab drivers cool off during a heatwave in the Iranian capital. The metropolis of millions is facing a water crisis, 21 July, 2025, Iran, Tehran.
AP Photo
Why It Matters
Record heat, little rainfall and decades of mismanagement have pushed Iran to the brink of an environmental breaking point. Nationwide, the disappearance of vital water sources threatens agriculture, undermines electricity production and worsens air quality—placing both the environment and public health in jeopardy.
The fallout could even extend beyond Iran's borders, affecting regional food supplies and trade.
Amir Kabir Dam
The Amir Kabir Dam, also known as the Karaj Dam, about 39 miles northwest of Tehran, is a vital source of drinking water for the capital and an agricultural lifeline. The reservoir—designed to hold over 200 million cubic meters—now contains just six percent of its usable volume.
Satellite images captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites, part of its Copernicus earth observation program, showed a stark reduction in surface area between August 2020 and August 2025, highlighting the speed and severity of the decline.
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Lar Dam
Supplying parts of eastern and northern Tehran, the Lar Dam has fallen below 10 percent of its 960 million cubic meter capacity. Imagery comparing the most recent five years shows large swaths of dry lakebed where water once stood.
The loss of this key reserve comes at a time when Tehran traditionally depends on Lar, Amir Kabir, and the nearby Latian reservoir for most of its drinking water, placing the capital at unprecedented risk.
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Lake Urmia
In northwestern Iran, Lake Urmia—the world's second-largest hypersaline lake—is now experiencing an unprecedented decline in water levels and could potentially dry up this year. Iran's Environmental Protection Organization says the situation is so dire that "no number exists to report."
Persistently high temperatures, rapid evaporation, low rainfall and thousands of unauthorized wells have severely depleted surrounding aquifers. Officials warn the lake could vanish by the end of summer, unleashing toxic salt storms that trigger mass wildlife die-offs and worsen respiratory illness in nearby populations.
What People Are Saying
Fatemeh Mohajerani, Iranian government spokesperson: "We must solve the issue of energy imbalance in water and electricity…with the help of the people themselves, through saving and managing consumption."
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian president: "In Tehran, if we cannot manage and people do not cooperate in controlling consumption, there won't be any water in dams by September or October."
What Happens Next
With critical reservoirs near Tehran at record lows, time is running out to prevent long-term damage, prompting officials to enact emergency measures while urging citizens to conserve water and electricity to help manage the shortages.
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