Ejei on Farmers' Protests in Isfahan: Some Want to Fish in Troubled Waters

The spokesperson of Iran's judiciary announced that the issue of water scarcity in Isfahan was discussed in a meeting of the heads of the three branches of government, urging protesting farmers not to let opportunists align themselves with them and distort their rights. According to Tasnim News Agency, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said in a press conference in Isfahan on Sunday, March 18, that the people of Isfahan are struggling with water shortages, and this issue was addressed in a meeting of the heads of the branches last week, emphasizing the need for urgent and effective actions. Ejei also urged Isfahan farmers to not allow opportunists to distort their rights. He added, 'Those who are in pain want to ensure that their expression of problems is not exploited, but some want to fish in troubled waters.' Farmers in eastern Isfahan have held various protests in recent weeks in response to not receiving their water rights and agricultural water issues, with the latest protest occurring on February 25 during the last Friday prayers of the year. Social media images showed a significant number of protesting farmers sitting with their backs to the Friday prayer leader, chanting 'Back to the enemy, towards the homeland.' This action received widespread attention. Mojtaba Mirdamadi, the temporary Friday prayer leader of Isfahan, responded to the farmers' protests by assuring them that if they had a little patience, a good outcome would follow. The farmers' protests against the transfer of water from Zayandeh Rud to Yazd have been ongoing in recent years, including an incident in 2012 where a group of farmers broke water transfer pipes, leading to clashes with law enforcement and injuries. A new wave of protests began on March 8, where a significant number of farmers from the Varzaneh region in eastern Isfahan marched in protest against not receiving their water rights, chanting slogans against Hassan Rouhani. On March 9, following protests by Varzaneh farmers and the throwing of two electric poles by some protesters, the water transfer to Yazd was halted. Water scarcity and water transfer plans in some provinces of Iran have led to protests and clashes between the people and law enforcement in recent years. Residents of Khuzestan have also protested against water transfer plans from Karun's sources to Isfahan. Reports indicate that with the drying up of Zayandeh Rud, the largest river in central Iran, and the transfer of its water to the desert in Yazd and Qom to revive water-intensive industries, making a living through agriculture in these areas is no longer feasible as it once was. 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. Previously, Gary Lewis, the UN Development Program resident representative in Iran, told Reuters that water scarcity has now become the main human security challenge in Iran. In this context, some analysts use the term 'water war' to describe potential future disputes over water in Iran or between countries, with some going so far as to predict that a future global war may start over water.