The Impact of Growth Policies on Water Stress and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT
Water is the source of life, and one of the main requirements for development and civilization is access to sustainable water sources. Although Iran has the heritage and essential social capital of the aqueduct system and optimal water governance based on adaptation to arid and semi-arid nature, in recent decades, due to the increasing demand and consumption of water due to population growth and the implementation of growth policies with the centrality of agriculture and urbanization and some industries have caused ecological imbalance and water stress. This research was done using descriptive and content analysis methods. The research question is how quantitative growth and development policies have affected Iran's water security and national security. The formulation of the research hypothesis states that quantitative growth and development policies have threatened Iran's water and national security. The results reveal that the construction and development plans prioritize quantitative growth over environmental concerns, disregarding the sustainability of water resources and environmental rights. They have implemented development programs that have caused irreparable risks to biological foundations and water resources. This process, along with climate change, Iran's self-sufficiency and self-reliance policies, and the sanctions policies of the United States of America, has intensified the water stress, resulting in public dissatisfaction and social unrest, and has increased the competition for water resources. This problem has directly affected the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. If this trend continues, the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be threatened more than before.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Water is the most essential element of life, and life without water has no meaning. From the distant past, access to reliable and sustainable water resources has been a significant factor in the location of settlements and cities and generally a fundamental factor in the formation of civilizations and development. Most of the central plateau of Iran corresponds to the arid and semi-arid belt of the world. The average annual rainfall in Iran is 250 mm, less than one-third of the global average. Accordingly, drought and water scarcity are inherent features of the Central Plateau of Iran. The inhabitants of this region's access to sustainable and reliable water resources has been one of the major challenges throughout history. To this end, the Iranians, by inventing the mechanism of the aqueduct (Qanat) three thousand years ago, created a suitable water access method based on the principle of respect for the environment and full compatibility with nature. The aqueduct is one of the few human achievements with a historical continuity of about three thousand years and is still efficient. Our ancestors have observed "sustainable development" and good water governance in the structure and system of the aqueduct. The important heritage and social capital of the aqueduct and Karez system and the optimal water governance based on adaptation to Iran's arid and semi-arid nature have been the most important elements in forming the brilliant Iranian civilization. However, in recent decades, some industries have suffered from ecological imbalance and water stress due to climate change and increasing demand and consumption of water due to population growth and the implementation of growth and development policies centered on agriculture and urbanism.
 
Methodology
This research was done using the descriptive method and content analysis method. The required data were obtained in a library from official institutions and organizations of the country (Statistics Center of Iran, Ministry of Energy, and Meteorological Organization). Arc GIS software was used to draw and prepare maps, and Excel was used to draw charts. Then, with logical reasoning, we interpret and analyze the data. Finally, attention was paid to the analysis of the causes and sources of water stress and its impact on the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
Results and discussion
Iran is between 25 and 40 degrees north latitude and near the tropic of Cancer. It corresponds to the desert belt of the world and is in the heart of the arid region of the Middle East and Southwest Asia. In general, drought, water scarcity, low rainfall, and hot and dry climate are inherent geographical features of the Central Plateau of Iran. However, this arid, semi-arid, and low-rainfall region has been one of the great cradles of human civilization and the origin of Iran's glorious culture and civilization. This great civilization and its historical continuity are based on the optimal management of water resources and the invention of water mechanisms compatible with the arid climate of Iran. Iran is one of the great civilizations with a rich indigenous culture and knowledge in groundwater resources management and adaptation to water shortage conditions. It has managed this vital element well in supply and demand for many years. The arrival of modernity in Iran, the increasing trend of technological developments in recent decades, the influence of political-economic ideas of Fordism and neo-liberalism, and the originality of production and consumerism, along with the slogan of economic growth, increased the water demand. So, from 13 thousand deep wells and 33 thousand semi-deep wells in 1972-1973 to more than 210 thousand deep wells and about 600 thousand semi-deep wells in 2017-2018. The fever of economic growth, the expansion of agriculture, and the water supply for cities and metropolises created a movement of dam-making and control of surface water runoff. So, from 19 large dams before the Islamic Revolution of 1979 to 41 dams in the years 1989 to 1997 during the construction government (Hashemi Rafsanjani), 89 dams in the reform government (Khatami), and 146 dams in the government of Mehrvarzi (Ahmadinejad) and in total to 176 large reservoir dams reached equilibrium government (Ruhani). The growth rate of Iran's population, as well as the growing cities, urbanism, and lifestyle changes based on welfare and consumerism indicators, have sharply increased Iran's per capita water consumption from a population of 19 million in Iran in 1956 to about 80 million in 2017 and during 6 decades more than quadrupled. All the policies of growth and increase in demand for water took place while Iran's renewable water resources were stable and even decreased due to continuous droughts and climate change. Insufficiency of water resources, declining aquifers, drying rivers and lakes and wetlands, and lack of stable water supply have caused water stress and widespread public dissatisfaction, especially among farmers and ranchers. This situation has gradually found political and security aspects following various protests and riots
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 The author acknowledge the generous support of the Payam Noor University.