Climate crisis or a warning from God? Iranians desperate for answers as water dries up
Guardian1 day
Iran Begins Cloud Seeding Amid Severe Drought Crisis
Above: The Amir Kabir dam along the Karaj river in Iran's northern Alborz mountain range, on June 1, 2025. Image credit: Atta Kenare/ Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Iran's proactive cloud seeding initiative represents a crucial response to the country's severe drought crisis. The government has mobilized aircraft and established dedicated meteorological organizations to systematically target rain systems across multiple provinces. This scientific approach demonstrates Iran's commitment to utilizing available resources and expertise to address water shortages threatening major cities, including Tehran.
Government-critical narrative
Cloud seeding is a desperate distraction from Iran's real water crisis caused by decades of mismanagement and overconsumption. With reservoirs at catastrophically low levels and clouds lacking sufficient moisture for the technique to work effectively, this expensive gambit will likely fail. Iran needs fundamental economic reforms and better agricultural policies, not flashy weather manipulation that experts say won't deliver tangible results.
Techno-optimist narrative
Cloud seeding is emerging as a practical climate tool, offering measurable gains in rainfall and water security. Studies show it can provide potential increases of 10–15 %, and long-running programs in the UAE, China and the U.S. demonstrate that targeted weather modification can support agriculture and drought-stricken regions. With better modeling and transparent oversight, cloud seeding can evolve into a core element of climate resilience.
Techno-skeptic narrative
Cloud-seeding remains an unsettled science, suspended between experimental climate engineering and a political myth that simplifies complex crises. It offers governments the illusion of action — a sleek distraction from chronic overuse, mismanagement and failing water governance.