Iran on the Edge: Environmental Collapse Deepens as Water, Air and Soil Crises Converge

Iran is entering one of the most alarming environmental periods in its modern history. Severe water shortages, deadly air pollution, land subsidence, wildfires and widespread ecological degradation have pushed the country toward a state of irreversible crisis. This report examines the latest findings from international sources on the worsening state of Iran’s environment.

1. Water Shortages: A Nation Running Dry

According to Al Jazeera, major dams supplying Tehran have dropped below 20 percent of their capacity, marking one of the most severe droughts in decades.
Source:

Scientific American warns that groundwater depletion and mismanagement could render parts of the capital “uninhabitable.”
Source:

Land subsidence across central Iran is accelerating due to overextraction of aquifers, placing infrastructure, homes and agricultural lands at serious risk.

2. Air Pollution: A Daily Death Toll

Newsweek reports that air pollution in Iran is responsible for an estimated 161 deaths per day, making Iran one of the world’s most dangerous countries for respiratory health.
Source:

Heavy fuel oil burned in power plants, aging vehicles and rising temperatures are intensifying toxic smog levels across major cities.

3. Wildfires and Forest Loss

International reports confirm a surge in wildfires across the Hyrcanian and Zagros forests.
Source:

Climate change, drought and insufficient wildfire management have pushed these ecosystems to the brink of collapse.

---

4. Social Consequences and Climate Migration

Tehran’s dwindling water reserves are already causing pressure on urban systems. Scientific American suggests that “population relocation” may become unavoidable in certain districts.
Source:

Water scarcity, agricultural decline and health challenges are driving climate-induced migration from central provinces toward the north.

5. Conclusion

Iran’s environmental crisis is no longer a looming threat; it is a lived reality. Mismanagement, climate vulnerability and political inaction have combined to create a multidimensional emergency with long-term consequences for public health, economic stability and national security.

🌍 ژورنالیست | انجمن خبرنگاران حامی محیط زیست
محيط زيست، دغدغه زندگيست...
✴️ وقتی نان نباشد، هیچ درختی سایه نمی‌دهد.
@journalistsir | @bahrm8
https://journalistsirani.blogspot.com