Tehran: Iran has raised concerns about pollution in the Araz River, attributed to Armenia’s industrial activities, as reported by the Iranian newspaper “Payam-e Ma.” The Araz River, a crucial water source, is reportedly contaminated with heavy metals, posing significant threats to the ecosystem and environmental health.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, “Payam-e Ma” highlighted the pollution stemming from Armenia’s copper mines and the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The newspaper’s research indicates that the water contamination has resulted in increased gastrointestinal cancer rates, particularly affecting the provinces of Ardabil, East Azerbaijan, and West Azerbaijan. The study was based on over 50 sources, including Iranian government documents and expert interviews.

The Iranian government plans to utilize the Araz River for Tabriz’s drinking water supply, especially after the Nehand Dam dried up in 2023. However, the pollution concerns have complicated these plans. Iran’s Ministry of Energy announced in September 2024 a project to transfer water from the Araz River to Tabriz and neighboring cities, sparking further concerns due to the river’s contamination with heavy metals like aluminum, arsenic, and lead.

Despite a November 2023 agreement between Iran and Armenia to address the river’s pollution, no significant progress has been made. Iranian and Azerbaijani media have consistently focused on this issue, with officials from both countries attributing the pollution to Armenia’s industrial activities.

In July 2023, Azerbaijani NGOs sent an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, urging Armenia to halt its environmentally damaging mining practices. The letter outlined the impact of waste from Armenian copper-molybdenum combines on the Araz and Okchuchay Rivers and called for immediate action to prevent further ecological harm.