Our Fearless Leader's natural — and, as always, worst — impulses will lead him to seek a "deal" in which the USA or some other cabal of interested parties "wins" at the expense of Iran. This will be in every way the least beneficial approach for both parties.
Iran will lose by what could theoretically be vast numbers of deaths from thirst and famine caused by the underlying drought. The USA and others internationally will lose by appearing to value "winning" above virtue.
This is a soluble problem, though it is likely that many will suffer. That suffering has less to do with climate than with men of underdeveloped morality all playing King of the Hill. We need a better way.
Who might help?
ISRAEL: The main fresh water source near the Mount of Beatitudes is the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), which lies entirely within Israel. This large freshwater lake is located immediately below the mount and is renowned for its clear, drinkable water. Additionally, the nearby area of Tabgha features the historic “Seven Springs,” which are also sources of fresh water, but the Sea of Galilee is by far the most significant and prominent fresh water source in the region. One might imagine two steps in an assistance package:
(1) a truck convoy, however small it might be;
(2) a pipeline (see following discussion) with two way pumps, because some day the shoe might be on the other foot.
(Though the above might seem counterintuitive, Israel's quarrel is not with the thirsty masses but with the fanatics of the revolutionary guard. Fearless prediction: If a convoy of Israeli trucks full of water should show up at the border between Iraq and Iran, they would be admitted in a heartbeat with smiles all around.)
CHINA: China has under its flag the world's largest number of tanker ships, over 1,700 as of 2025. If one percent were to be assigned to draw water from glacial melt in polar regions and carry it to Bandar Imam Khomeini, a convoy and later a pipeline could carry it to the populous regions to the north.
RUSSIA: Iran's northern neighbor and some of the former Soviet republics share the Caspian Sea with Iran. Though the Sea is brackish in the south, it is only about 1/3 as salty as the ocean. Russia could help Iran build desalination sites and pipelines in the north. Of course Iran could do this internally from a planning and technical standpoint, but it does not have the manufacturing capacity to do it rapidly enough to address the current situation. The water draw sufficient to take the pressure off major urban areas in the north would probably not make much of a dent in the Sea. (Right now I'm examining that metaphor trying to recall ever seeing an actual dent in water.)
USA: According to recent articles on the water shortage, one of the underlying problems is the inefficiency of Iranian agriculture, which uses too much water relative to production. Hydroponic gardening could supply a large part of the Iranian diet, especially in urban areas.
The country that produces the most hydroponic gardening equipment—and does so with the most varied technological solutions—is the United States. The U.S. is home to many of the world’s leading hydroponic technology manufacturers and innovators, offering the widest range of hydroponic systems, from basic kits for hobbyists to advanced, highly automated, and sensor-integrated solutions for large-scale commercial growers. Major American companies include ScottsMiracle-Gro (Hawthorne Gardening), Hydrofarm Holdings Group, American Hydroponics, and AmHydro, which collectively supply everything from nutrient films and recirculating water culture systems to high-tech vertical farming setups and smart environment controllers.
The USA also has a large number of tankers that could supplement the Chinese fleet.
OTHERS: If nothing else, the world could make sure that every Iranian child had a cup or a bottle.
All this would cost a tiny fraction of one percent of world GDP. The population of Iran is currently estimated at 92.4 billion persons. If it should cost $1,000 per person to accomplish the above and if it were financed over 40 years, that would amount to $214 billion in principal and interest. Divided by 40, the annual cost would be $5.35 billion, which, divided by four billion adults worldwide, would be $1.3375 per year or $0.0037 per day per adult. That's Average global income for employed workers is around $19,000. In the USA it is $66,622, about 3.5 times as much, so if income were equalized each American would pay (3.5X1.3375/365=) $1.28 per day to fix this.
For comparison, the estimated cost of the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilties in July was $200 million, or $1.42 per taxpayer — just sayin'...
Why would these and other countries do any of this?
Permit me to return to the Mount of Beatitudes. After the Sermon on the Mount, when the conjured loaves and fishes were distributed, the Bible does not say that only those who agreed with it were fed.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/world/video/iran-water-crisis-weir-live-073109aseg2-ctw-cnni-world-fast
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/climate/tehran-iran-water-crisis-day-zero
