Iran’s lakes are vanishing: Satellite images show a deepening water crisis

Iran is facing a severe water crisis, worsened by years of drought, unsustainable water use, and the war with the US and Israel. Lake Urmia, the largest saltwater lake in the Middle East, has shrunk from nearly 6,000 sq km in the 1990s to just 581 sq km in 2026, less than 10% of its former size. Over 60 dams, river diversion, and groundwater extraction have contributed to its desiccation. The war has also damaged desalination plants and other water infrastructure.