Water crisis spurs protests in Iran

Undated picture shows a general view of dried up grounds in Shahreza, Iran. Tasnim News Agency/ via REUTERS

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A number of protests have broken out in Iran since the beginning of the year over water, a growing political concern due to a drought which residents of parched areas and analysts say has been exacerbated by mismanagement.

The demonstrations have been relatively small, sporadic and limited to towns around the central city of Isfahan and Khuzestan province in the west. But they have highlighted an issue that played a role in earlier unrest and the authorities have cracked down, while recognising the need for change.