Transforming the Department of Environment into a Strategic Ministry
Today was a special day for Pan-Iranist Progressive, but we must not lose sight of our long-standing demand: the transformation of Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) into a small-scale yet powerful and agile ministry.
The current structure of DOE lacks the institutional authority and operational flexibility needed to address Iran’s complex environmental challenges. We call for a full organizational transformation that elevates DOE to ministerial status, enabling it to:
Directly influence national policy and budget allocations
Coordinate with defense, energy, and agriculture ministries
Enforce environmental regulations with greater autonomy
Lead innovation in climate resilience and ecological restoration
This transformation is not about size—it is about strategic capacity, accountability, and national relevance.
Introducing the First Man-Made Water Corridor Business Plan
Pan-Iranist Progressive is proud to unveil the conceptual framework for Iran’s first man-made water corridor. This initiative is designed to address water scarcity, support regional agriculture, and stimulate innovation in environmental engineering. The corridor will:
Redirect seasonal floodwaters to arid zones
Integrate solar-powered pumping stations
Support biodiversity through artificial wetlands
Create jobs in construction, maintenance, and eco-tourism
This business plan is rooted in systems thinking and sustainable innovation. It reflects our commitment to promoting a better world through infrastructure that respects ecological boundaries and empowers local communities.
Strategic Vision and Environmental Context
Pan-Iranist Progressive is proud to present a bold and transformative infrastructure concept: Iran’s first man-made water corridor. This initiative is designed to address chronic water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly the central plateau and southeastern deserts, by redirecting water from surplus zones to deficit areas. The corridor will integrate advanced engineering, ecological restoration, and energy innovation to support agriculture, biodiversity, and regional development.
Topographical Challenge: Caspian Sea vs. Persian Gulf
A critical factor in designing this corridor is the elevation difference between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf:
Caspian Sea: Approximately -27.5 meters below sea level
Persian Gulf: Approximately 0 meters (sea level)
This elevation disparity, combined with Iran’s mountainous terrain—especially the Alborz and Zagros ranges—creates significant engineering challenges. Water must be lifted across altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters in some areas to reach the central plateau. This requires high-capacity pumping systems and resilient infrastructure capable of operating under extreme conditions.
Environmental Simulation and Risk Assessment
Simulations of water transfer projects from the Caspian Sea to central Iran have revealed several potential environmental risks:
Brine Discharge: Desalination processes could release up to 2.6 million tons of salt annually into the Caspian Sea, increasing local salinity by up to 400% within a 300-meter radius. This threatens aquatic ecosystems and endemic species.
Carbon Emissions: Pumping and desalination operations may emit 3.2 million tons of CO₂ annually, unless powered by clean energy sources.
Land Degradation: Construction could result in the loss of 70–100 hectares of forest, 738 hectares of rangeland, and 161 hectares of agricultural land, along with 15 million cubic meters of high-quality soil.
Water Inefficiency: Without reforming water use in destination provinces, especially in agriculture, the corridor could exacerbate resource depletion.
Recommendation: Piping with Nuclear-Powered Pumping Stations
Given the elevation and distance challenges, piping systems are the most viable solution for water transfer. Compared to open canals, pipes:
Minimize evaporation losses
Reduce contamination and leakage
Allow for controlled flow and pressure regulation
Require less land disruption and are easier to maintain
To power these systems sustainably, Pan-Iranist Progressive recommends the use of nuclear energy for high-efficiency pumping stations. Nuclear reactors can provide:
Stable, high-output electricity for continuous operation
Minimal carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels
Long-term energy security for strategic infrastructure
This approach aligns with Iran’s existing nuclear capabilities and offers a scalable solution for future water-energy nexus projects.
Ecological Integration and Innovation
The corridor will also include:
Artificial wetlands to support biodiversity and act as natural filtration systems
Solar-powered auxiliary stations to complement nuclear energy and reduce peak loads
Smart monitoring systems to track water quality, flow rates, and ecological impact in real time
Conclusion
Pan-Iranist Progressive envisions this water corridor not merely as a technical solution, but as a symbol of national resilience and innovation. By combining piping infrastructure, nuclear energy, and ecological design, Iran can address its water crisis while safeguarding its environment. We call on policymakers, engineers, and citizens to support this initiative and help shape a sustainable future for our homeland.
A Day of Recognition and Momentum
Today’s live news conference on Iranian television featured the DOE president, a military colonel from the environmental police, and a parliamentary representative. Their remarks—alongside a repeated announcement supporting innovation in private enterprise, art, and literature—signal a growing alignment with Pan-Iranist Progressive’s vision. A new national entity has been introduced to support individuals and organizations entering the business of innovation. This is a milestone we welcome with cautious optimism.
The Business of Innovation: Best in Class
We are pleased to see that many of our recommendations are being acknowledged, directly or indirectly, by national authorities. Notably, our proposal to leverage the ARBAIN ceremony as a platform for green cooperation was referenced again today. This idea—first introduced by Pan-Iranist Progressive—demonstrates how cultural events can be reimagined as vehicles for environmental awareness and civic engagement.
Business Plans Must Include Life Cycle Assessment
As the government expands its innovation support programs, we urge it to require comprehensive business plans from all applicants. These plans must include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to ensure environmental accountability. LCA provides:
A full accounting of emissions, resource use, and waste
Insight into long-term ecological impacts
A basis for comparing technologies and investment options
Transparency for stakeholders and regulators
Pan-Iranist Progressive will continue to lead discussions on scaling LCA across sectors. We believe that only through collaboration, integration, and rigorous analysis can Iran achieve meaningful progress in sustainable development.
Conclusion
Today’s developments reaffirm our belief in the power of ideas, persistence, and patriotic innovation. Pan-Iranist Progressive remains committed to transforming Iran’s environmental governance, pioneering sustainable infrastructure, and fostering a culture of responsible innovation. We invite all citizens, experts, and policymakers to join us in building a resilient and forward-looking Iran.