Iran has commenced cloud seeding operations in response to an unprecedented drought, marking a critical step in its battle against water scarcity. The country, which has long endured chronic dry spells and heat waves exacerbated by climate change, is now facing its most severe drought in decades. The first cloud seeding flight of the current water year, which began in September, was conducted over the Urmia Lake basin, as reported by the official IRNA news agency. Urmia, once Iran’s largest lake, has largely dried up, transforming into a vast salt bed. Further operations are planned for the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles like silver iodide and salt into clouds to induce rainfall. Iran has developed its own technology for this practice, which has also been employed by neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Recent reports indicate rainfall in several western and northwestern provinces, though overall precipitation has decreased by 89% compared to the long-term average. Tehran, the capital, is experiencing its lowest rainfall in a century, with half of Iran’s provinces remaining rainless for months. President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned of potential evacuations in Tehran if rain does not arrive before winter. The situation underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the escalating water crisis in the region.