US moves dozens of refueling tanker aircrafts to Middle East – Newsweek

“Rainfall has dropped 40% and dam inflows 42%, leaving most of the capital’s five dams near dead storage. Only Taleghan Dam remains relatively stable,” Abbasali Mosarzadeh, CEO of Tehran’s Sewage Company cited on Tuesday as saying by official media.

“Tehran’s reserves in October fell to 258 million cubic meters, 227 million less than last year," he added. These figures were cited by Iran’s Water Resources Management Company.

The crisis extends far beyond the capital. Nationally, water reserves have fallen to alarming lows, with Iranian energy officials acknowledging that 19 of the country’s major dams are operating at below 20 percent capacity.

Independent reporting by Iran International based on satellite data showed Tehran’s Amir Kabir reservoir at roughly 6 percent of usable volume in July, with the Lar and Latyan reservoirs also at historic lows.

Groundwater depletion is worsening the picture. Research cited by Iranian geoscience institutes shows parts of Tehran sinking by more than 10 centimeters a year due to subsidence.

Agriculture, which consumes about 80 percent of the country’s water according to government and international environmental assessments, remains highly inefficient, further straining supplies.

Experts warn that without sweeping reforms in consumption and water management, Iran risks deeper shortages, environmental collapse, and growing public unrest.

Iran’s most senior Sunni cleric, MowlaviAbdolhamidEsmaeelzahi, warned on Wednesday that the reimposition of international sanctions had plunged the country into “serious and unbearable crises."

In a post on X, the influential Friday prayer leader of Zahedan said Iran’s negotiators had “returned without any achievement” from recent talks with Western powers.

“The people demanded a change and reform of the fruitless policies of the past, but there is no sign of determination or will among the officials to realize these demands. Today, the Iranian people see no window of hope,” Abdolhamid wrote.

The legislation, formally titled the “Intensification of Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with the Zionist Regime and Hostile States Against National Security and Interests,” was passed by parliament in late June following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

The Guardian Council, a powerful 12-member body of clerics and jurists that vets legislation and elections in Iran, initially sent the bill back in July citing ambiguities, but said after revisions it no longer conflicted with Islamic law or the constitution.

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  New Iran espionage law halted for review, slowing post-war crackdown

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  Iran's parliament approves death penalty for cooperation with Israel, US

The measure classifies espionage or intelligence cooperation with Israel and the US as “corruption on earth,” a charge under Iran’s penal code that can carry the death penalty.

It also criminalizes providing information, media content or assistance to groups deemed hostile, with prison sentences ranging from two to 15 years depending on the offense.

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  Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel

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  Iran hangs nuclear scientist over alleged espionage for Israel’s Mossad

Supporters say the law is needed to counter infiltration and disinformation. “Any cooperation in media or propaganda activity, including sending videos or images to hostile channels that weaken public morale or create division, undermines national security and will face severe judicial response,” said Ebrahim Azizi, a former Revolutionary Guards commander and head of parliament’s national security committee.

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  Iran arrests over 700 accused of spying for Israel amid espionage crackdown

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  Iran to execute over 100 inmates over Israel spying charges - Sunday Times

The bill follows the June conflict in which Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear and missile sites, prompting Tehran to retaliate with hundreds of missile and drone launches.

Iranian authorities later announced the arrest of hundreds of people accused of spying for Israel and the US.

Rights advocates have expressed concern that the law’s broad definitions, including provisions applying retroactively, could restrict free expression and be used against journalists and activists.

Ali Saeedi, head of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s political-ideological office, said on Wednesday that there were differing views on whether Israel might launch another attack on Iran.

“Some say the enemy may commit another madness, while others believe Israel’s internal turmoil prevents it from taking action,” he told ILNA.

Saeedi added that while “the armed forces must be 100% ready,” ordinary people should “continue with their lives and not be agitated.”

He said Iran had seen “no signs of an enemy attack” at present.