The Iranian government announced on Thursday its intention to purchase water from neighboring countries due to a widespread drought affecting the nation.
Iran’s Energy Minister, Abbas Aliabadi, stated, “If there is a country willing to sell water, we will buy it.”
He also noted that Iran has placed on its agenda the import of products that consume large amounts of water during production, according to the German news agency DPA.
Most of Iran’s neighboring countries—such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s border regions—are also suffering from drought and water shortages. However, Armenia to the north has relatively larger water reserves.
Iran is considered one of the world’s most arid countries. In recent years, experts have observed a significant decline in rainfall, alongside increasing droughts and other extreme climate phenomena.