Researchers Criticize Persian Gulf Water Desalination and Transfer Projects as Environmentally Destructive

TEHRAN, Oct 15 (OPA) — A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Shiraz University and the Academy of Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran has raised significant alarms regarding the viability of mega-projects designed to desalinate and transfer water from the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman to Iran's central plateau. The research highlights that these large-scale engineering efforts, while intended to address chronic water shortages in arid regions, are fundamentally flawed from both economic and ecological perspectives.

The study provides a detailed analysis of the theoretical foundations and operational consequences of these water transfer schemes. Experts argue that the high energy consumption required for desalination, combined with the massive infrastructure costs, renders the projects economically unsustainable. Furthermore, the environmental impact—specifically the discharge of concentrated brine back into the marine ecosystem—poses a severe threat to local biodiversity and the long-term health of the Persian Gulf, potentially leading to irreversible ecological degradation.

Historically, Iran has pursued these water transfer projects as a strategic solution to support industrial and agricultural expansion in the central plateau. However, the scientific community is increasingly pushing back, suggesting that the focus should shift toward sustainable water management, demand-side efficiency, and the restoration of local aquifers rather than relying on energy-intensive, environmentally damaging technological fixes that ignore the natural hydrological limits of the region.

Looking ahead, the researchers urge policymakers to reconsider the current trajectory of these mega-projects. The report suggests that continuing with the status quo will likely result in a cycle of diminishing returns, where the environmental costs eventually outweigh the intended industrial benefits. The team advocates for a paradigm shift that prioritizes integrated water resource management and climate-resilient strategies over the continued reliance on massive inter-basin water transfer infrastructure.