Iranian Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian

Iranian Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian in answer to a question from an MP has said Iran has been authorized to take eight billion cubic meters of water from the Persian Gulf.

Iran Press/Iran news: In an open session of the parliament on Tuesday, the Deputy Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Majlis, Mohammad-Mahdi Boroumandi, put some questions to the Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian.

Wasting 30 to 35 percent of the country's water due to a worn-out water grid, taking millions of cubic meters of the Persian Gulf water by some littoral countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the use of up-to-date cloud fertility technology were questions that the MP asked the Minister of Energy to respond.

The Minister of Energy said in response, "Iran has also been authorized to take eight billion cubic meters of Persian Gulf water and we hope to launch one of the largest desalination projects by the beginning of next year".

He also commented on water wastage saying, "Water wastage is about 25% and only 13% of this figure is due to corroded, worn out and outdated pipes in the national water grid."

Concerning seeding of clouds to increase rainfall, the Minister of Energy added: "Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) aircraft are equipped to do the task and flights have been carried out in five provinces."

He also informed MPs that for the first time in Iran, design and production of cloud seeding materials and equipment has been achieved.

Ardakanian further emphasized, water is the most important issue in the country and we are in a water crisis and careful planning is needed for the future.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani tasked Ardakanian to follow up on projects that he outlined and keep Majlis posted on any progress made.

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