# Iran water resource crisis and transboundary disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/iran-water-resource-and-aquifer-crisis
> Updated: 2026-09-05T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Iran continues to face severe water resource challenges, characterized by significant groundwater depletion and regional reservoir disparities. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi previously warned of a debt of approximately 150 to 160 billion cubic meters to the country’s aquifers, noting that certain plains could face the total loss of some aquifers.

Recent data from the Iran Water Resources Management Company shows national dam capacity at 55 percent, a 2 percent decrease from the prior week. While total reservoir inflows have increased by 69 percent to 46.25 billion cubic meters, water availability remains highly uneven. Six major dams—Lar, Doosti, Torogh, Panzdah Khordad, Barzou, and Saveh—report filling levels below 10 percent. Conversely, the Jegin, Azadi, Dovirej, and Ilam dams are near 100 percent capacity. National precipitation is recorded at 237.5 millimeters, slightly below the long-term average of 239.7 millimeters.

To address scarcity and transboundary disputes, Iran is pursuing water diplomacy. Spokesperson Isa Bozorgzadeh stated that Iran continues to demand its legal right to 820 million cubic meters of water annually from the Hirmand River, noting that while Afghan cooperation has increased, the full entitlement has not been met. Iran has also proposed a four-party consortium involving Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to manage the Aras River basin. Officials expressed concern over upstream developments, such as the Salma Dam on the Hari River and the Kamal Khan Dam, which impact downstream security for the Sistan region and Hamun wetlands. Officials cautioned that climatic phenomena like El Niño should not foster false optimism regarding the crisis.

## Claims

- The total water reservoir filling level in Iran is 55 percent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Reservoir inflows reached 46.25 billion cubic meters, a 69 percent increase compared to last year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Current reservoir water volume is 28.72 billion cubic meters, a 36 percent increase from last year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Six dams, including Lar, Doosti, Torogh, Panzdah Khordad, Barzou, and Saveh, have filling levels below 10 percent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Four dams, including Jegin, Azadi, Dovirej, and Ilam, have filling levels near 100 percent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Total national precipitation is 237.5 millimeters. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Iran pursues water diplomacy for Hirmand and Aras rivers

Iran is seeking water diplomacy through a proposed four-party consortium for the Aras River and continues to demand its legal 820 million cubic meter annual share of the Hirmand River from Afghanistan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-pursues-water-diplomacy-for-hirmand-and-aras-rivers

### 2026-08-25: Iran dam reservoirs reach 55 percent capacity amid regional disparities

Iran's dam reservoirs are at 55 percent capacity. While inflows and total water volumes have increased significantly compared to last year, six dams remain at critical levels below 10 percent.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-dam-reservoirs-reach-55-percent-capacity-amid-regional-disparities

### 2026-08-22: Iran faces 160 billion cubic meter water deficit in aquifers

Iran's Energy Minister warns of a 150-160 billion cubic meter water deficit in the country's aquifers and calls for urgent research to address groundwater depletion.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-faces-160-billion-cubic-meter-water-deficit-in-aquifers

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Cite as: Iran water resource crisis and transboundary disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/iran-water-resource-and-aquifer-crisis