Tehran, a metropolis of over 15 million people, is now regularly mentioned as a city that is nearing its “Day Zero” – the moment when a city’s taps run dry. This is not unprecedented for a major city.

During the summer of 2025, Iran experienced an exceptional heatwave, with daytime temperatures across several regions, including Tehran, approaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) and ...

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily. The city depends on five major reservoirs for its water supply. One has dried up ...