The Farda Briefing

Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I look into Iran's worsening water crisis, which has now prompted the government to consider importing water to address the severe shortage.

What You Need To Know

• Thirsty Iran Looks To Neighbors: Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced this week that water importation -- both physical surplus from neighbors and "virtual water" via imported goods -- is now an active government strategy to combat severe shortages.

• Grammy Winner Hajipour In Hot Water: Shervin Hajipour, the Iranian Grammy winner whose song became the anthem of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, has announced the release of his state-approved debut album -- a move that has divided his supporters. Critics accuse him of yielding to the authorities, while others have defended him. Documentary filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlou told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that the backlash is "unfair," arguing that just as doctors need a license to work, singers in Iran must also obtain official permission.

• Iraq Blacklists Hezbollah, Houthis By 'Mistake': Iraq on December 4 announced it was designating Iran's allies -- Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Huthi rebels -- as terrorist organizations and freezing their assets. The government quickly backtracked, saying the list was published in error and calling it a "mistake." Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said he had ordered an investigation into the incident. The move raised eyebrows, as Iran has long projected influence in neighboring Iraq through its support for Shi'ite parties and militias, some founded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The Big Issue

Spare Water, Anyone?

This year is being called one of the driest in Iran in over half a century. Rainfall has dropped dramatically, and major dams are running dangerously low. Underground water supplies have been drained for years, and cities like Tehran are already dealing with water rationing. It's not just a drought anymore; it's a full-blown crisis.

Now, instead of relying solely on building more dams or asking people to save water, the plan includes importing water from neighbors who have surplus, if they're willing to sell. There's also the idea of "virtual water," which means importing water-intensive products rather than producing them domestically, saving precious water inside Iran.

Why It Matters: This move is basically an admission that the old ways aren't working. It's a reality check for the government and the public. Sure, there are other water-saving measures in play -- like cloud seeding and recycling -- but the big picture calls for bigger changes, especially in farming and industry.

For many Iranians, hearing that the country might have to buy water feels like a shock. Iran has long been proud of its self-sufficiency. Now, the water crisis is forcing a rethink.

What's Being Said: Iran is located in a considerably water-stressed region, and the minister didn't say which countries Iran would turn to for assistance.

Climatologist Nasser Karami told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Iran is likely to strike some kind of trade or barter deal for water, probably with Afghanistan.

He explained, "Afghanistan has a lot of rivers flowing out of it, including three that go to Iran, and they need us for things that don't cost us much -- like access to international waters and the Persian Gulf."

Karami also challenged the Islamic republic's agricultural self-sufficiency strategy, which it has pursued since coming to power in 1979, and backed the move to import water-intensive crops.

"We're not a country that can produce food for around 100 million people," he warned. "With our fertile land and water, we can at most grow food for 40 to 50 million people and must import the rest. This is a very good and logical move."

That's all from me for now.

Until next time,

Kian Sharifi

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here . It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.

Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I'm looking at speculation about the Saudis facilitating talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear program.

What You Need To Know

• Saudi Mediation Role Back In The Spotlight: Nine months after reports first emerged that Saudi Arabia is interested in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s trip to Washington has again put Riyadh’s potential for mediation in the spotlight.

• Family Says Iran Detains 70-Year-Old US Citizen: Iranian-American dual citizen Afarin Mohajer has been detained in Tehran in what her son, US-based political activist Reza Zarrabi, describers as a “kidnapping.” Speaking to RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, Zarrabi said his 70-year-old mother was arrested on a slew of charges, including “propaganda against the establishment” and “forming an opposition group.” He insisted that Mohajer was detained because of his activism and added that she “has had no political activities.”

• Tehran Voids Cairo Agreement After IAEA Resolution: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi this week said a technical agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which was signed in Cairo in September, was terminated after the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution pressing Iran to clarify the status of its enriched uranium stockpile. Iran says its roughly 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium is buried in facilities that were struck by the United States in June.

The Big Issue

The Riyadh Route

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s November 18 visit to the White House -- his first in seven years -- has sparked widespread speculation about Saudi Arabia offering to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran on nuclear negotiations.

Hosting bin Salman, US President Donald Trump said he is “open” to a deal with Iran, which he said wanted an agreement “very badly.”

Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, meanwhile, talked up his country’s “close” relations with the United States and said Riyadh “will do our best” to make an agreement with Iran happen.

A day before the trip, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian sent a letter to bin Salman that led many to believe he was relaying a message to Trump. Iran's government has formally dismissed the speculation, insisting that the letter focuses on “bilateral” relations. But the timing is curious.

Why It Matters: Saudi Arabia has strong incentives to pursue this mediation role, particularly now that Iran's proxy network has been weakened.

The kingdom is concerned that a cornered Iran might accelerate nuclear weapons development, and Riyadh sees a new nuclear agreement as preventing that scenario.

Additionally, Saudi foreign policy has pivoted toward prioritizing economic objectives, and further regional instability would hinder these goals. By positioning itself as a mediator, Saudi Arabia can subtly distance itself from Trump's maximum pressure strategy against Tehran while maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington.

Crucially, Riyadh and Washington signed an initial agreement that serves as a precursor to a deal on the transfer of American civil nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.

By securing its own nuclear cooperation pathway with the United States, Riyadh can afford to support measured negotiations that give Iran limited enrichment under tight inspection regimes --so long as the kingdom receives equivalent rights.

What's Being Said: Oman and Qatar have traditionally served as mediators between Iran and the United States, but some, including former Iranian diplomat Hamid Abutalebi, believe it is time to let the Saudis facilitate talks.

In a message to Pezeshkian, Abutalebi said the government is “facing a historic responsibility” and must seize “this strategic opportunity” to ease economic pressures, bring stability to the Middle East, and “pave the way for a return to sustainable equilibrium with America and Saudi Arabia.”

Middle East analyst Bahman Akbari argued that Saudi Arabia's strengthened ties with Washington through the preliminary nuclear agreement and defense partnership with the United States don't prevent -- and may actually enable -- its role as a credible intermediary between Tehran and Washington.

“Saudi Arabia's potential as a mediator…creates the possibility of reaching a significant agreement,” he told the Reformist newspaper Etemad.

Meanwhile, Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told CNN this week that Tehran is open to talks with Washington, but that Iran would not negotiate over its missile program.

“They have to make the first move,” Kharrazi said. “It is only the nuclear issue we will discuss with the United States.”

That's all from me for now.

Until next time,

Kian Sharifi

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.