"Israel prevents clouds from bringing rain to Iran"

A general accused Tel-Aviv of having machines that prevent clouds from bringing water to Iranian territory: "Climate change is suspect and manipulated by some countries" . Meanwhile, protests against pollution and mismanagement of water continue in Khuzestan province

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) – An Iranian general accused Israel of preventing clouds To bring rain to Iran. "Climate change in Iran is suspect," Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali said at a national meeting on the protection of the population. "It is suspected that foreign interference has played a role in climate change.Some scientific centers in the country have conducted a study on this subject and their results are confirmed," said the general.And he continues: "Israel and a other countries in the region have joint teams able to block the rainwater from the clouds that are entering the Iranian skies. "The official also cited a four-year study that shows that" above " from the 2,200 meters altitude, all mountainous areas between Afghanistan and the Mediterranean are covered with snow, while in Iran no.

The director of the National Institute of meteorology Ahad Vazife denies the general's words: "He probably has documents of which I am not aware; but, on the basis of meteorology, it's not possible for a country to deflect snow or clouds. "According to the meteorologist, Iran suffers from a prolonged drought, but it is a global trend. "Raising these suspicions does not solve any problem, but it will prevent us from solving the situation and finding the right solutions."

Meanwhile, in the south-west of the country, in the cities of Khorramshahr and Abadanm, province of Khuzistan to protest the poor quality of water.These demonstrations are "a reaction to years of mismanagement," says Alex Vatanka, researcher at the Institute of the Middle East and specialized in Iran Drought, lack of clean water and high pollution exacerbate the situation in this predominantly Arab agricultural zone. "The region is socio-economically disadvantaged compared to inhabited by Persian Iranians, "says Ali Fat hollah-Nejad, badociate researcher at the Brookings Doha Center. The national context has been in turmoil in recent months. Vatanka explains that "there are many sporadic demonstrations, but they are not all related to each other and he protests against the corruption and the agenda of the regime."

The Guardians of the Revolution Corps , which manages power and water infrastructure projects in the west of the country, promised a quick response to calm the situation. "These demonstrations are not new, but the repression will create even more frustration, and at the same time lead to radicalization.The real threat to the administration comes from the economic crisis and the way it is exploited by the oppositions, "concludes Fathollah-Nejad.