Middle East
Can you drink tap water in Iran?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in Iran?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Big-city tap water is treated and many locals drink it, but 2026 strikes damaged water systems; bottled water is the safer choice.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 94% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in Iran
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tehran | Filter or boil | Tehran's tap water is treated, but war damage and old pipes make bottled water the safer choice. |
| Isfahan | Filter or boil | Tap water is treated and many locals drink it, but bottled water is safer given 2026 damage. |
| Shiraz | Filter or boil | Tap water is treated, but bottled water is safer given 2026 damage and old pipes. |
| Yazd | Filter or boil | Tap water is treated, but bottled water is safer given damaged systems. |
| Kashan | Filter or boil | Tap water is treated, but bottled water is safer given damaged systems. |
| Mashhad | Filter or boil | Tap water is treated, but bottled water is safer given 2026 damage. |
| Tabriz | Filter or boil | City tap water is treated, but strike damage to water systems means bottled water is safer. |
| Kish Island | No, drink bottled | The island relies on desalinated and piped water; drink bottled water. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Iran
- Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.