Clashes Between Police and Farmers Protesting Water Transfer in Varzaneh, Isfahan

IRNA reported that during clashes between police forces and a number of farmers in Varzaneh, Isfahan, who aimed to prevent the transfer of water to Yazd, four or five farmers were injured. Meanwhile, Hadi Hadinasab, the director general of crisis management in Yazd province, announced that the water being transferred from Zayandeh Rud to Yazd has been cut off and will be restored tomorrow. According to IRNA, on Friday, March 9, following protests by Varzaneh farmers and the throwing of two power poles by some protesters, the water transfer to Yazd province was halted. The report stated that some protesters intended to damage the water transfer facilities from Zayandeh Rud to Yazd, but were dispersed before any action could be taken by special forces and police using tear gas. The news agency cited 'informed sources' reporting that four to five protesters were injured, with one of them being transferred to hospitals in Isfahan for treatment. Protests by Isfahan farmers against the transfer of Zayandeh Rud water to Yazd have been ongoing in recent years, including an incident in 2012 when a group of farmers from eastern Isfahan broke water transfer pipes, leading to clashes with police and injuries among them. In recent weeks, farmers from Varzaneh have repeatedly protested against not receiving their water rights. Varzaneh is a city in the Benroud district of Isfahan, located 110 kilometers east of Isfahan. These farmers had also stationed their tractors at the entrance of Isfahan city last November as a sign of protest. Reports indicate that with the drying up of Zayandeh Rud, the largest river in central Iran, and its water being transferred to the heart of the desert in Yazd and Qom to revive water-intensive industries, earning a living through agriculture in these lands is no longer feasible as it once was. Meanwhile, as protests by farmers in eastern Isfahan continue, Reza Ardakanian, the Minister of Energy, stated that plans developed to address water issues in Isfahan province have been approved and communicated by the 'National Working Group for Water Adaptation.' According to Ardakanian, 'This movement will assist in implementing plans for organizing the Zayandeh Rud river, replacing industrial crops with greenhouse cultivation, executing technical projects for water extraction from Zayandeh Rud, substituting wastewater in agricultural and industrial consumption, and emergency water supply plans.' Water scarcity and water transfer plans in some provinces of Iran have led to gatherings and clashes between the public and police in recent years. In this context, several residents of Khuzestan have also protested against water transfer plans from the Karun river sources to Isfahan province. Previously, Gary Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, told Reuters that water scarcity has now become the main human security challenge in Iran. In addition to drought, mismanagement and improper use of existing water resources have led to the drying up of many vital lakes, rivers, and wetlands in Iran in recent years. In this regard, some analysts use the term 'water war' to describe potential future conflicts over water in Iran or between countries, with some going so far as to predict that a future global war could be triggered by water. Among them, Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, stated on Tuesday, March 27, that the issue of shared waters between countries could become a source of conflict among various nations. He also announced that Iran's water policy is 'to use soft power, water diplomacy, and establish peace and security and dialogue with neighboring countries.'