2018 Iranian water protests
The 2018 Iranian water protests were a series of protests in Iran involving demands for improvements in the provision of freshwater. The protests erupted after a period of severe drought in the country. Participants accused the Iranian authorities of water mismanagement, worsening the impact of the drought. The protests coincided with a series of larger protests and civil unrest in Iran.
| 2018 Iranian water protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of 2018 Iranian protests and Water crisis in Iran | |||
| Date | February 2018 – November 2018 | ||
| Location | Abadan, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz Mahshahr, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, Isfahan, Varzaneh, Borazjan, Kamarej | ||
| Caused by | Lack of clean water | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, riots | ||
| Resulted in | -Protests quelled -Water crisis in Iran persisted | ||
| Number | |||
| |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | At least 2 protesters | ||
| Injuries | 11+ protesters 10 security forces | ||
| Arrested | Approximately 170 protesters | ||
Public demonstrations involving water demands in 2018 were first reported in mid-February. The first significant protests occurred in early March in the Isfahan province and later spread to the provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr. The government responded by quelling the protests, leading to the death of at least two protesters and multiple injuries. Approximately 170 people were reportedly arrested in relation to the water demonstrations. The water shortages persisted and water protests erupted again in 2021.