On 14 March 2025, local farmers rallied in Falavarjan city (Falavarjan, Isfahan) to demand water rights and access to the Zayandeh Roud River for agriculture.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1. Summary

On March 14, 2025, local farmers in Palavarjan city, Isfahan Province, Iran conducted peaceful protests demanding access to agricultural water from the Zayandeh-Rud River. This is currently assessed as a low-risk, isolated protest activity.

2. Supply-chain impact

• Potential decline in agricultural productivity: Farmer protests due to water shortages indicate potential decreases in crop yields and quality deterioration in the region
• Agricultural supply instability in Isfahan region: Water shortages for agricultural use in Isfahan, a major agricultural area in central Iran, present medium to long-term pressure factors on domestic food supply chains
• Potential impact on regional transportation and logistics: If farmer protests spread, potential disruptions to regional road traffic and agricultural product transportation schedules
• Intensifying water resource competition: Continued water allocation conflicts in the Zayandeh-Rud River basin raise concerns about indirect impacts on nearby industrial facility operations

3. Watch points

• Protest spread and intensity changes: Track whether protest activities spread to other agricultural areas within Isfahan Province and the potential for escalation in protest patterns
• Government response and water allocation policy: Monitor changes in Iran's agricultural water allocation policies and announcements of Zayandeh-Rud River management measures