Iran’s Water Crisis a Critical National Priority, President Pezeshkian Tells Parliament

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday described the country’s rapidly depleting water resources as a vital and urgent national issue, calling for immediate and serious measures grounded in expert analysis to address the growing crisis.

Speaking while submitting the government’s budget bill for the next Iranian year to Parliament, President Pezeshkian said that all of Iran’s provinces are facing water-related challenges, stressing that the problem cannot be resolved merely through the redistribution of water resources.

He warned that structural issues in water economics, agricultural practices, irrigation systems and industrial development have been exacerbated by years of non-expert and uncoordinated growth. “Water economics, farming patterns, irrigation, and industry are all problematic because we have allowed non-expert growth,” the president said.

Pezeshkian emphasized that effective policymaking must be based on expert opinion to ensure sound and sustainable decisions. He noted that specialists should draw not only on domestic assessments but also on global data and international experience through consultations with experts abroad.

“Without expert work and the use of committed professionals, we will not be able to overcome the crises facing the country,” he said, underscoring the need for science-based planning and professional management in tackling Iran’s water challenges.