Iran sits atop several endorheic basins where precipitation is naturally low and uneven. Over the past few decades, average rainfall has declined in many catchments, while temperatures have risen, intensifying evaporation rates. Simultaneously, the country’s population grew from roughly 35 million in the 1970s to over 86 million today, expanding agricultural demand for water in a largely arid landscape.

The nation’s water management framework combines ancient qanat irrigation systems with modern dams and deep‑well pumping. While qanats historically distributed water sustainably, many have fallen into disrepair. New infrastructure, often built without comprehensive impact assessments, has altered river flows and groundwater recharge patterns, creating competing demands among urban, industrial, and farming users.