IOD’s analysis of UN data reveals Iran as the Middle East’s leading extractor of groundwater, and fifth globally after India, China, the US, and Pakistan. Overuse has placed hundreds of aquifers in critical condition, with land subsidence threatening major cities and “Day Zero” looming in Tehran.
IOD’s analysis finds the regime has increased funding for the Rahian-e-Nour war pilgrimages to 210bn toman ($2m) in 2025, even after fabricating participation figures and halting all public reporting.
IOD’s analysis finds Iran’s crypto mining footprint could account for up to 15% of global activity—driven by subsidised electricity and large-scale operations. A 2,400 MW power drop during a blackout revealed the hidden scale of the sector.
IOD’s analysis finds no correlation between Iran’s provincial mining resources and local economic wellbeing. Provinces rich in mines often remain poor, while low-resource areas post stronger welfare indicators.
IOD’s analysis finds a 60% increase in Iran’s reported grain production since 2011 has coincided with a fourfold jump in grain imports—now exceeding $8bn annually. Official data clashes with international estimates, raising fresh doubts over Tehran’s agricultural self-sufficiency claims.
IOD’s analysis finds that most food and energy waste in Iran stems from systemic inefficiencies, not consumer behavior. Official narratives blaming citizens misrepresent both domestic and global data.
IOD analysis of Iran’s 1404 budget law finds the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allocated over 311tn tomans ($6bn), about 1.8 times the regular army’s 177tn tomans ($3.4bn). The figures exclude opaque extra-budgetary funding.
Over the past decade, Iran’s economy has endured one of the most intense inflation waves in its modern history, driven largely by unchecked government borrowing and money printing, according to newly compiled data from Iran Open Data.
Iran’s parliament is set to vote on removing four zeros from its currency, making 10,000 rials equal to 1 new rial. But with inflation over 40% for five years, experts warn the plan may simplify math, not solve deeper economic problems.
As Iran grapples with soaring summer temperatures and widespread blackouts, the government has shut down public offices in at least 12 provinces and warned of a possible nationwide one-week closure to conserve energy.
Once on track to become an economic powerhouse, Iran’s global standing has steadily eroded over the past 36 years under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — a reversal of the rapid growth seen during the Pahlavi era.
Despite producing over 90% of the world’s saffron, Iran is rapidly losing ground in the global saffron value chain. According to official data, the average export price per kilogram of Iranian saffron has plummeted from $3,000 in 2011 to under $900 in 2023.
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