Iran hails naval buildup, vows to strengthen deterrence

Somayeh Rafiei, the head of the environment faction in Iran’s Parliament, warned on Tuesday that “the water situation in 44 of the country’s dams is critical,” adding that this has directly impacted hydroelectric power generation, putting spring and summer electricity supply under serious strain.

According to Rafiei, water inflow to dam reservoirs from the beginning of the current hydrological year (which began in September) has dropped by 37% compared to the same period last year. The total volume of water in reservoirs is also down 18% from a year ago and 15% below the five-year average.

“The situation of five dams in Tehran province is especially alarming,” Rafiei said. “Only 24% of their capacity is filled, and upstream snow reserves – a crucial source for replenishment – have declined between 47% and 54% year-on-year.”

She also raised concerns over the Urmia Lake basin in northwestern Iran, where dam fill levels have declined 36% from last year. “We are looking at hard days ahead for Lake Urmia,” she warned.

The crisis is exacerbated by climate change, mismanagement in agriculture, outdated irrigation techniques, and a failure to invest in water recycling or secure regional water diplomacy, Rafiei said.

She painted a dire picture of groundwater depletion, noting that 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces are experiencing land subsidence due to unchecked groundwater extraction. “This is a systemic failure of regulation,” she said.

Rafiei also pointed to environmental degradation, saying that 66% of the country’s wetlands have dried up and become new sources of dust storms.

The hydropower sector is reeling, with over 12,500 megawatts of capacity affected. “As temperatures rise, electricity production becomes increasingly unstable due to the country’s energy imbalance and lack of investment in renewable infrastructure,” she said. “There is no solution right now except widespread compliance with consumption guidelines.”

Rafiei said the situation requires the Ministry of Energy and provincial governors to immediately implement real-time monitoring across all public institutions and government-affiliated companies, including mandatory installation of smart meters and online tracking systems.

“We cannot demand conservation from ordinary citizens while leaving high-consumption government bodies unchecked,” she said.

Blackouts return to Tehran

The capital began scheduled power outages again this week, according to a notice issued by the Tehran Electricity Distribution Company, following unannounced outages in neighboring towns.

The return of outages coincides with a heatwave that has sharply driven up water usage.

Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi confirmed that annual renewable water resources have dropped by 37%, from 103 billion to 66 billion cubic meters – a drastic fall from the historical high of 130 billion.

Speaking at a national meeting with water and wastewater officials, Aliabadi said: “We are facing a global water crisis. The Middle East is at its epicenter, and Iran’s situation is increasingly concerning.”

He warned that rising urban populations in Tehran and other large cities are intensifying pressure on water supplies, and stressed the need for urgent investments in water recycling and desalination technologies.

“In many cities, treated drinking water is still used for irrigating green spaces. That is no longer acceptable,” he said.

Aliabadi cited a 7°C increase in Iran’s average temperature over the past two years – a result of a 4.5°C rise this year on top of 2.5°C last year. This spike has further fueled water consumption, particularly through evaporative coolers.

Meanwhile, many of Iran’s authorized wells have dried up, including those with depths of as much as 150 meters.

“Water is an intergenerational asset, and its management demands strategic decisions,” Aliabadi said.

A hard water year ahead

Deputy Energy Minister Mohammad Javanbakht echoed the warnings, saying: “After years of consecutive droughts, this will be one of the toughest years for Iran’s water sector.”

He cited over 40% drought conditions nationwide, declining reservoir levels, and the drying of key water bodies, including many reservoirs at or below critical thresholds.

“The drinking water situation in cities like Tehran is already difficult, and agricultural restrictions may spark social tensions,” he warned.

While acknowledging some prior attempts at groundwater rebalancing and drought adaptation, Javanbakht admitted the measures had limited impact.

Javanbakht also highlighted the economic strain on the water sector. “There are nearly 5,670 water projects across the country, and securing funds for them in the current economic climate is incredibly challenging,” he said.

He called for tariff reforms, public education, and stronger integration of social and environmental concerns into water infrastructure planning.

Tehran’s water use surges

Recent data from the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company shows a worrying trend with the capital experiencing one of its driest years in recent decades, annual rainfall now below 140 millimeters.

Despite this, water consumption surged past 3.1 million cubic meters per day in early May – largely attributed to the use of swamp coolers, which consume up to 30 liters of water per hour per unit.

Officials have called on citizens to reduce their cooling system usage and improve efficiency, including installing shades and conducting regular maintenance.

Water authorities have threatened punitive measures will follow what they consider to be overuse, warning that persistent heavy users may even face 12-hour service cuts.

As Iran braces for a long, hot summer, officials agree: behavioral change is not optional.

“Without a significant shift in how we consume and manage water, this crisis will only deepen,” Minister Aliabadi warned.

Iran’s government spokesperson said Tehran remains cautious about indirect talks with the United States, citing what she called Washington’s record of broken promises and ongoing sanctions.

“We are not overly optimistic in the indirect negotiations with the US,” Fatemeh Mohajerani told reporters on Tuesday. “The Americans have repeatedly proven their lack of honesty.”

Mohajerani described US sanctions as “unilateral, arbitrary, and contrary to international law,” and said they continue to harm Iranian civilians.

Mohajerani said Iran remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful nuclear development. “Our red lines are clear — we are only negotiating on the nuclear issue,” she said. “Nuclear energy is for peaceful purposes, and it is the right of the Iranian people. We have shown our commitment to diplomacy in practice, and now the other side must show goodwill.”

She added that Iran is awaiting word from Oman’s foreign minister on the timing of the next round of talks, which she said have been delayed due to technical and logistical reasons.

Two managers—one from the public sector and one from the private sector—are in custody and several others have been summoned as witnesses in connection with the recent explosion at Rajaei port, the investigating judge said, according to judiciary-affiliated Mizan News.

Bail orders have been issued for the two detained managers; however, they remain in custody.

The judge, who Mizan did not name, visited the site of the incident on Tuesday to review field findings and speak with individuals who were present from the moment of the blast. He added that expert opinions are needed to assess various aspects of the case.

“If negligence or fault by any person is proven, they will face firm legal action without exception,” the judge said.

Iran’s ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper said the United States is under growing pressure to strike a deal with Tehran, arguing that shifting regional dynamics have left Washington with few alternatives.

"The US is not choosing to offer concessions — the facts on the ground are forcing them to," Kayhan wrote in an editorial. The paper, which is managed by a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, described American negotiators as "deeply discredited" and "compelled to agree" due to regional realities and Iran's unchanged negotiating stance.

To point to Iran’s upper hand, the article said: "The visit of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran and the military agreements between the two countries, Grossi’s desperate request to join the Iran-US talks and Iran’s rejection of it, the exclusion of Europe from the nuclear talks and regional developments, and the retreat of the European troika from their earlier conditions all show that nothing can be imposed on Iran under current conditions.”

The Supreme Court had set a Monday deadline for Halkbank to file a petition appealing the October 2024 ruling by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, which cleared the way for the prosecution.

In a letter to the appeals court, Halkbank's lawyer Robert Cary confirmed the petition had been filed, though it was not immediately available on the Supreme Court's website.

Halkbank has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, accused of using money servicers and front companies in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates to circumvent US sanctions.

US prosecutors allege that Halkbank facilitated the secret transfer of $20 billion in restricted Iranian funds, converted oil revenue into gold and cash for Iranian interests, and fabricated documentation for food shipments to justify oil proceeds transfers.

The case, initiated in 2019, has strained relations between the US and Turkey, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan denouncing it as an "unlawful, ugly" step.

However, both Erdogan and US President Donald Trump reported a productive phone call on Monday, with mutual invitations to visit their respective countries.

It is Halkbank's second appeal to the Supreme Court. In 2023, the court ruled that while the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 shields foreign countries from civil liability, it does not extend to criminal cases.

The Supreme Court then instructed the 2nd Circuit to further examine whether common law immunity protected Halkbank, leading to the October ruling that the bank could be prosecuted.

Trump maintains his so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran, threatening secondary sanctions and targeting those aiding sanctions evasion, while indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran continue.