Iranian authorities have begun cloud seeding operations to induce rain in the context of the most severe drought in recent decades.

Following a severe drought crisis, the authorities in Iran have initiated cloud seeding operations to stimulate precipitation. The first cloud seeding flight took place in the basin of Lake Urmia, which has undergone drastic drying, turning into a vast salt flat. The technique involves spraying particles such as silver iodide and salt into clouds to induce rain. Last year, Iran announced that it had developed its own technology for this practice. Additionally, meteorologists reported a decrease in precipitation of about 89% compared to the long-term average, and Iran is facing the driest autumn in the last 50 years. Water reservoirs have reached record low levels, and President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that without rain before winter, Tehran could be evacuated. This situation is exacerbated by climate change, and other countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, have also used cloud seeding to produce artificial rain.