Who gains from saving nature
Ledger 1 : 33 — For each dollar financing nature-based solutions in 2023, about $33 financed activities harmful to nature. (UNEP)
Cases / Water use · Iran · 2016–2025

Persian Gulf and Oman Sea desalinated water transfer to Kerman, Yazd and Isfahan

Nature's voice · report
No measurement of the harm done to me here is on record.
Did nature suffer? Not measured. Disputed
What the record lacks: 8 none on record · 1 not disclosed · 2 not measured · 4 disputed See the gaps
Accounts of the harm differ
Whether the transfer helps or harms water scarcity in the receiving regions
  • Government and regulators Isfahan governor Mehdi Jamalinejad (6 December 2025): Phase 1 could cut annual groundwater withdrawal in the Zayandeh Rud basin by 10–15%, over 40% in later phases, and help revive the Gavkhouni wetland (projection). Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
  • Government and regulators Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak (6 December 2025): The line brings Mobarakeh Steel's use of Zayandeh Rud water to zero. Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
  • Researchers Haghshenas Haghighi & Motagh, Science Advances (2024): Water transfer from the Persian Gulf basin is a temporary solution that does not resolve downstream water scarcity issues and may exacerbate conflicts between local communities. Science Advances 10, eadk3039 (Haghshenas Haghighi & Motagh)
  • Press and investigations Unnamed experts quoted by Donya-e-Eqtesad (23 May 2023): The fastest fix but the "worst option" because of high operating and renewal costs; some prefer relocating industry to Makran. Donya-e-Eqtesad
  • Press and investigations EghtesadOnline (16 March 2021): Environmentalists and independent economists are skeptical of the project. EghtesadOnline (IRNA)

A pipeline and desalination programme carries seawater from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea to mines and steel plants in Kerman, Yazd and Isfahan, financed by the National Development Fund, Iranian banks and the mining and steel companies that receive most of the water. The first 850 km line was reported at US$1 billion for 180 mcm per year.

US$1bnReported cost of the first 850 km line to Kerman and Yazd
180 mcm per year; about US$585 million from Chadormalu, Gol-Gohar and National Iranian Copper Industries (EghtesadOnline citing IRNA, March 2021).

Status As of December 2025: the Sirjan–Isfahan line was ordered into operation (about 6 December 2025); delivered volumes, brine and energy-use data are not on record.

What?
A pipeline and desalination programme carries seawater from the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea to mines and steel plants in Kerman, Yazd and Isfahan, with mining and steel companies financing much of the first line and receiving most of its water. EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
Where?
Intake and desalination at Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan (line 1) and on the Oman Sea (Isfahan line); destinations at Gol-Gohar (Sirjan), Sarcheshmeh (Rafsanjan County), Chadormalu (Ardakan, Yazd) and Mobarakeh Steel (Isfahan). EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
When?
Work began in 2016; line 1 online November 2020 and March 2021; phase 2 of the Isfahan line launched about 29 September 2023; Sirjan–Isfahan line ordered into operation about 6 December 2025. EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
Who?
Gained
  • Gol-Gohar, Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine and Chadormalu — 45, 40 and 30 mcm per year of the 180 mcm per year on line 1 EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
  • Mobarakeh Steel — Use of Zayandeh Rud water brought to zero by the Sirjan–Isfahan line, according to Minister Atabak Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
Lost
  • Chadormalu, Gol-Gohar and National Iranian Copper Industries — Funded about US$585 million of the first US$1 billion line EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
  • National Development Fund and Iranian-European Bank — Lent about US$360 million; National Development Fund allocated US$400 million in 2017 Entekhab (Eghtesad News)
Harmed
  • Aquifers of the Zayandeh Rud basin — Groundwater withdrawal that the Isfahan governor projected phase 1 would cut by 10–15% Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
Why?
Depletion of central-plateau water; Minister Razm-Hosseini said the region faced huge challenges meeting demand, and Mobarakeh Steel said it could not move its plant. Entekhab (Eghtesad News)
How?
Desalination plus 850 km and 800 km pipelines, financed by the National Development Fund, the Iranian-European Bank, nine banks and the mining and steel companies that receive the water. EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
6 of 6 questions answered from the record

What happened

The record, in order.

EghtesadOnline, citing IRNA on 16 March 2021, reported an 850 km line carrying 180 mcm per year at a total cost of US$1 billion: about US$360 million borrowed from the National Development Fund and the Hamburg-based Iranian-European Bank (EIH, affiliated with the Bank of Industry and Mine), without a split; US$55 million invested by nine banks including Melli, Parsian, Tejarat and Sepah; and the remaining US$585 million from Chadormalu, Gol-Gohar and National Iranian Copper Industries. Water was allocated 45 mcm to Gol-Gohar, 40 mcm to the Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine and 30 mcm to Chadormalu, with the remainder for drinking water. Three further pipelines were estimated at US$6.5 billion for 550 mcm per year. The Persian Gulf Water Supply and Transmission Company began work in 2016, phase 1 to Gol-Gohar came online in November 2020, and the line to Sarcheshmeh and Chadormalu in March 2021, when President Rouhani ordered the start of line 2.

Entekhab (Eghtesad News), on 14 March 2021, described four lines across seven provinces with stated investments of 23,000 billion toman (line 1), 47,000 (line 2), 35,000 (line 3, Isfahan) and 39,000 (line 4, Chabahar–Zabol) and a stated total of 140,000 billion toman. The National Development Fund allocated US$400 million in Iranian year 1396 (2017) to start, of which US$280 million had been used, according to Minister Alireza Razm-Hosseini. Financiers of line 2 were named as Mobarakeh Steel, Gol-Gohar, Chadormalu, National Iranian Copper Industries, Sangan, Opal Parsian and Khorasan Steel, and of line 3 Mobarakeh Steel, Esfahan Steel (Zob Ahan) and the Isfahan Refinery. No construction contractors were named.

Donya-e-Eqtesad (23 May 2023) reported the Oman Sea–Isfahan line's phase 1 at 25,000 billion toman and phase 2 at 50,000 billion toman, and Mobarakeh Steel's chief executive, Tayebnia, as saying Mobarakeh had put in the most capital, partly in steel sheets, with six contractors. Fararu (30 September 2023) put phase 2 at 113,000 billion toman over a 980 km route, with a phase 1 target of 70 mcm per year and later 400 mcm per year, most of it for industry according to Energy Minister Mehrabian; costs were to be covered by large Isfahan industries, and 14 contractors worked at 24 sites, none named. President Raisi launched phase 2 of the Isfahan line around 29 September 2023.

On about 6 December 2025 President Pezeshkian ordered the Sirjan–Isfahan line into operation (Hamshahri citing IRNA and the Presidential Office; Nabz-e Bourse; Etemad): investment of 35,000 billion toman, with "major participation" of the Mobarakeh Steel Group, 800 km, built over two years. Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak said the line brings Mobarakeh Steel's use of Zayandeh Rud water to zero; Isfahan governor Mehdi Jamalinejad said phase 1 could cut annual groundwater withdrawal in the Zayandeh Rud basin by 10–15%, and by over 40% in later phases, and help revive the Gavkhouni wetland.

The Science Advances study (May 2024) described water transfer from the Persian Gulf basin as a temporary solution that does "not resolve downstream water scarcity issues and may exacerbate conflicts between local communities". Mobarakeh Steel's chief executive said the transfer was economically justified because the plant cannot be moved; unnamed experts quoted by Donya-e-Eqtesad in 2023 called it the fastest fix but the "worst option" because of high operating and renewal costs; EghtesadOnline wrote in 2021 that "Environmentalists and independent economists are skeptical of the project".

  1. 2016Persian Gulf Water Supply and Transmission Company starts work
  2. 2017National Development Fund allocates US$400 million to start the lines (Iranian year 1396)
  3. 2020Phase 1 to Gol-Gohar online (November)
  4. 2021Line to Sarcheshmeh and Chadormalu online; President Rouhani orders start of line 2 (March)
  5. 2023Donya-e-Eqtesad gives phase costs (23 May); President Raisi launches phase 2 of the Isfahan line (about 29 Sep)
  6. 2025President Pezeshkian orders the Sirjan–Isfahan line into operation (about 6 Dec)

What was said

Claims, in the words of those who made them.

“major participation of Mobarakeh Steel Group”

Hamshahri, citing IRNA and the Presidential Office, on the Sirjan–Isfahan line · 6 December 2025 · translated from Persian · Hamshahri Online (IRNA)

“not resolve downstream water scarcity issues and may exacerbate conflicts between local communities”

“Environmentalists and independent economists are skeptical of the project.”

“worst option”

Unnamed experts quoted by Donya-e-Eqtesad · 23 May 2023 · translated from Persian · Donya-e-Eqtesad

Where accounts differ

Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.

Whether the transfer helps or harms water scarcity in the receiving regions
Government and regulators
Isfahan governor Mehdi Jamalinejad (6 December 2025)

Phase 1 could cut annual groundwater withdrawal in the Zayandeh Rud basin by 10–15%, over 40% in later phases, and help revive the Gavkhouni wetland (projection).

Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
Government and regulators
Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak (6 December 2025)

The line brings Mobarakeh Steel's use of Zayandeh Rud water to zero.

Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
Researchers
Haghshenas Haghighi & Motagh, Science Advances (2024)

Water transfer from the Persian Gulf basin is a temporary solution that does not resolve downstream water scarcity issues and may exacerbate conflicts between local communities.

Science Advances 10, eadk3039 (Haghshenas Haghighi & Motagh)
Press and investigations
Unnamed experts quoted by Donya-e-Eqtesad (23 May 2023)

The fastest fix but the "worst option" because of high operating and renewal costs; some prefer relocating industry to Makran.

Donya-e-Eqtesad
Press and investigations
EghtesadOnline (16 March 2021)

Environmentalists and independent economists are skeptical of the project.

EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
Cost of the Isfahan line
Press and investigations
Donya-e-Eqtesad (23 May 2023)

Phase 1 at 25,000 billion toman; phase 2 at 50,000 billion toman.

Donya-e-Eqtesad
Press and investigations
Fararu (30 September 2023)

Phase 2 at 113,000 billion toman over a 980 km route; phase 1 figure printed as 5/25 thousand billion toman.

Fararu
Press and investigations
Entekhab (14 March 2021)

Line 3 (Isfahan) at 35,000 billion toman.

Entekhab (Eghtesad News)
Press and investigations
Hamshahri, Nabz-e Bourse and Etemad (6 December 2025)

The 800 km Sirjan–Isfahan line at 35,000 billion toman, built over two years.

Hamshahri Online (IRNA)

How it looked

What was shown, beside what was recorded.

Shown

  • The Sirjan–Isfahan line brings Mobarakeh Steel's use of Zayandeh Rud water to zero.
    Minister Seyed Mohammad Atabak (6 December 2025) · Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
  • Phase 1 could cut annual groundwater withdrawal in the Zayandeh Rud basin by 10–15%, over 40% in later phases, and help revive the Gavkhouni wetland.
    Isfahan governor Mehdi Jamalinejad (6 December 2025), a projection · Hamshahri Online (IRNA)
  • The transfer is economically justified because the plant cannot be moved.
    Mobarakeh Steel chief executive Tayebnia (23 May 2023) · Donya-e-Eqtesad

Recorded

  • First line: 850 km, 180 mcm per year, US$1 billion; US$585 million from Chadormalu, Gol-Gohar and National Iranian Copper Industries; about US$360 million from the National Development Fund and the Iranian-European Bank; US$55 million from nine banks.
    EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
  • Water allocation on line 1: Gol-Gohar 45 mcm, Sarcheshmeh 40 mcm, Chadormalu 30 mcm, the remainder drinking water.
    EghtesadOnline (IRNA)
  • Fararu: most water on the Isfahan line to industry (Energy Minister Mehrabian); costs to be covered by large Isfahan industries.
    Fararu
  • National Development Fund: US$400 million allocated in 1396 (2017), US$280 million used by March 2021.
    Entekhab (Eghtesad News)
  • Sirjan–Isfahan line: 800 km, 35,000 billion toman, built over two years, major participation of Mobarakeh Steel Group.
    Hamshahri Online (IRNA)

Who gained

Money that reached nature, beside money that stayed elsewhere.

Reached nature or the ground

Not published
Measured spending on brine discharge or energy use—
Not measured: no figures on brine discharge into the Persian Gulf or Oman Sea or on energy use per m³.

Gained elsewhere

Not totalled
Total cost of the 850 km line to Kerman and Yazd$1bn
180 mcm per year.
Borrowed from the National Development Fund and the Iranian-European Bank (EIH)≈ $360m
Split between the two not given.
Invested by nine banks (including Melli, Parsian, Tejarat, Sepah)$55m
Invested by Chadormalu, Gol-Gohar and National Iranian Copper Industries$585m
National Development Fund allocation, Iranian year 1396 (2017)$400m
US$280 million used by March 2021 (Minister Alireza Razm-Hosseini).
Three further pipelines (estimate, 550 mcm per year)$6.5bn
Estimate.
Currency: USD · Window: Line 1, reported March 2021. All figures cover the same period. * Estimate built from cited figures.

Responses on record

  • Mobarakeh Steel (23 May 2023): Its chief executive said the transfer was economically justified because the plant cannot be moved and that Mobarakeh had put in the most capital, partly in steel sheets. · Donya-e-Eqtesad
  • Ministry of Industry (March 2021): Minister Alireza Razm-Hosseini said the region faced huge challenges in meeting demand. · Entekhab (Eghtesad News)

In court and with insurers

Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.

Lawsuits and rulings

No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.

Insurers

No insurer decision on record.

What nature saw

Outcomes measured on the ground, and nature's note.

Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.

Line 1
850 km, 180 mcm/yr
Reported cost US$1 billion (March 2021)
Allocation on line 1
45 / 40 / 30 mcm/yr
Gol-Gohar, Sarcheshmeh and Chadormalu; the remainder for drinking water
Groundwater cut projected
10–15%
Zayandeh Rud basin, phase 1 (Isfahan governor; projection)

What we don't know

Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
No court caseNo independent ecological evaluationKey earnings undisclosed

Nature

  • Not measured Harm to nature: No independent ecological evaluation is on record.
  • Disputed Whether the transfer helps or harms water scarcity in the receiving regions

Money

  • None on record Measured spending on brine discharge or energy use — Not measured: no figures on brine discharge into the Persian Gulf or Oman Sea or on energy use per m³.

Court

Accounts

Record

  • Not disclosed Not disclosed: the split between the National Development Fund and the Iranian-European Bank (EIH) of the about US$360 million borrowed for line 1.
  • Not measured Not measured: brine discharge into the Persian Gulf or Oman Sea, and energy use per m³ of transferred water; the December 2025 inauguration report does not mention either.
  • Disputed Figures differ: Entekhab gave a total of 140,000 billion toman for four lines while its per-line figures were 23,000, 47,000, 35,000 and 39,000 billion toman.
  • Disputed Figures differ: phase 1 of the Isfahan line was given as 25,000 billion toman (Donya-e-Eqtesad, May 2023) and, in a form that may be a misprint, as 5/25 thousand billion toman (Fararu, September 2023); phase 2 as 50,000 billion toman (Donya-e-Eqtesad) and 113,000 billion toman (Fararu); the Sirjan–Isfahan line as 35,000 billion toman (December 2025).
  • None on record None on record: construction contractors named in any official-sourced article; Fararu gave 14 contractors at 24 sites and Donya-e-Eqtesad six contractors, none named.
  • None on record None on record: capacity and cost in the December 2025 inauguration report of Etemad.
  • None on record None on record: a drinking-water share for the Isfahan line.
  • None on record None on record: delivered volumes after December 2025.
  • None on record None on record: repayment terms of the National Development Fund loan.
  • None on record None on record: insurance relating to the project.

Did the harm stop?

None on record. The Sirjan–Isfahan line was ordered into operation on about 6 December 2025, and no measurements of brine discharge or energy use are on record.

Who paid?

Mining and steel companies funded about US$585 million of the first US$1 billion line, with the National Development Fund, the Iranian-European Bank and nine banks funding the rest; for the Isfahan line the sources name Mobarakeh Steel, Esfahan Steel (Zob Ahan) and the Isfahan Refinery as financiers. The receiving environment of the intake and discharge is unmeasured.

Sources

Voices on record: — Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society✓ Researchers

Press and investigations

  3. Oman water reaches Isfahan
    Fararu · 2023-09-30
  4. Is the end of the drought near?
    Donya-e-Eqtesad · 2023-05-23
  5. Pezeshkian orders Oman Sea water transfer
    Hamshahri Online (IRNA) · 2025-12-06
  7. Sea water reaches Isfahan
    Etemad · 2025-12-06

Researchers

  1. Uncovering the impacts of depleting aquifers: A remote sensing analysis of land subsidence in Iran
    Science Advances 10, eadk3039 (Haghshenas Haghighi & Motagh) · 2024-05-10

Connected cases

Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.
Terms used on this page

Science and environment

Groundwater
Water held underground in soil and rock, drawn through wells.
Wetland
Land that is saturated or covered with water for long periods, such as marshes, swamps and peat bogs.
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