Protesters In Iran Met With Tear Gas; At Least Four Injured

On Monday night, Iranian security forces used tear gas to disperse a protest in Divandarreh.

The demonstration was in response to several days of water cuts that have left residents without access to drinking water. According to reports from Hengaw human rights organization, at least four protesters were injured during the crackdown.

The protest emerged after a group of people from the Kurdish city took to the streets to voice their frustration over the continuous water shortages.

Videos of the protests circulating online depict the security forces firing tear gas in an attempt to confront the demonstrators.

Divandarreh has been grappling with frequent and widespread drinking water cuts for several weeks. Initially, the city's water company attributed the issue to a broken water transmission line and repeatedly promised to repair and restore the water supply. However, each time the repair was announced, the water cuts persisted, causing immense frustration among residents.

The worsening water crisis in Iran, believed to be exacerbated by global climate change and compounded by the inefficiencies of the Islamic Republic's management, has raised concerns among experts about potential social and political crises.

The crisis reflects a larger issue in Iran, as water reservoirs across the country have reached an all-time low, prompting local media and officials to warn about imminent nationwide water rationing.