Part 3/9:
To understand how Iran landed in this predicament, we must look back to its rapid population growth and modernization efforts in the 20th century. The Pahlavi dynasty, which ruled from 1925 to 1979, initiated many modernizing reforms, including infrastructure and agricultural expansions. However, these developments were largely predicated on unsustainable practices, particularly concerning water resource management.
Before the Shah's reign, Iran had a population of roughly 10 million. Today, that figure has swelled to about 90 million—a staggering 900% increase over a century. The government's emphasis on cash crops, particularly water-intensive crops like cotton, has compounded water stress.