Iran faces unprecedented drought as water crisis hits Tehran

The government is pleading with Iranians to save water as reservoirs dry up and rainfall is at a record low.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that if there is not enough rainfall soon, Tehran's water supply could be rationed. But he said that even rationing might not be enough to prevent a disaster.

"If rationing doesn't work," Pezeshkian said, "we may have to evacuate Tehran."

His comments have prompted criticism in Iranian newspapers and on social media. Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi called the idea "a joke" and said "evacuating Tehran makes no sense at all".

Iran's meteorological officials say no rainfall is expected over the next 10 days.