Welcome again to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL publication that tracks the important thing points in Iran and explains why they matter.
I’m RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this version, I look into Iran’s worsening water disaster, which has now prompted the federal government to contemplate importing water to handle the extreme scarcity.
What You Need To Know
• Thirsty Iran Looks To Neighbors: Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi introduced this week that water importation — each bodily surplus from neighbors and “digital water” by way of imported items — is now an energetic authorities technique to fight extreme shortages.
• Grammy Winner Hajipour In Hot Water: Shervin Hajipour, the Iranian Grammy winner whose music turned the anthem of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, has introduced the discharge of his state-approved debut album — a transfer that has divided his supporters. Critics accuse him of yielding to the authorities, whereas others have defended him. Documentary filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlou informed RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that the backlash is “unfair,” arguing that simply as medical doctors want a license to work, singers in Iran should additionally receive official permission.
• Iraq Blacklists Hezbollah, Houthis By ‘Mistake’: Iraq on December 4 introduced it was designating Iran’s allies — Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Huthi rebels — as terrorist organizations and freezing their property. The authorities rapidly backtracked, saying the checklist was revealed in error and calling it a “mistake.” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated he had ordered an investigation into the incident. The transfer raised eyebrows, as Iran has lengthy projected affect in neighboring Iraq by means of its assist for Shi’ite events and militias, some based by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
The Big Issue
Spare Water, Anyone?
This 12 months is being referred to as one of many driest in Iran in over half a century. Rainfall has dropped dramatically, and main dams are working dangerously low. Underground water provides have been drained for years, and cities like Tehran are already coping with water rationing. It’s not only a drought anymore; it is a full-blown disaster.
Now, as an alternative of relying solely on constructing extra dams or asking individuals to save lots of water, the plan consists of importing water from neighbors who’ve surplus, in the event that they’re prepared to promote. There’s additionally the concept of “digital water,” which implies importing water-intensive merchandise quite than producing them domestically, saving treasured water inside Iran.
Why It Matters: This transfer is principally an admission that the outdated methods aren’t working. It’s a actuality verify for the federal government and the general public. Sure, there are different water-saving measures in play — like cloud seeding and recycling — however the massive image requires greater adjustments, particularly in farming and trade.
For many Iranians, listening to that the nation might need to purchase water seems like a shock. Iran has lengthy been happy with its self-sufficiency. Now, the water disaster is forcing a rethink.
What’s Being Said: Iran is positioned in a significantly water-stressed area, and the minister did not say which international locations Iran would flip to for help.
Climatologist Nasser Karami informed RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that Iran is more likely to strike some type of commerce or barter deal for water, most likely with Afghanistan.
He defined, “Afghanistan has numerous rivers flowing out of it, together with three that go to Iran, and so they want us for issues that do not value us a lot — like entry to worldwide waters and the Persian Gulf.”
Karami additionally challenged the Islamic republic’s agricultural self-sufficiency technique, which it has pursued since coming to energy in 1979, and backed the transfer to import water-intensive crops.
“We’re not a rustic that may produce meals for round 100 million individuals,” he warned. “With our fertile land and water, we are able to at most develop meals for 40 to 50 million individuals and should import the remaining. This is an excellent and logical transfer.”
That’s all from me for now.
Until subsequent time,
Kian Sharifi
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