Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D Student of International Relations, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2
Associate Professor of International Relations, Political Science Dept. University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
3
- Associate Professor of International Relations, Political Science Dept. University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
10.22034/igq.2026.562455.2133
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Climate change results from destructive human activities, including greenhouse gas emissions, water mismanagement, industrial growth, and agriculture, that disrupt Earth's natural processes and cause global warming and regional climate shifts. This affects human life, communities, and international relations. From a political ecology view, climate change highlights inequalities in resource distribution and power. Water scarcity, rising food costs, and environmental degradation increase vulnerability and fuel disputes over resources, especially in arid regions like the Middle East. There, climate pressures such as drought, dust storms, and floods intensify competition for water and drive migration. Terms like "climate migrants" and "climate refugees" describe those relocating gradually or suddenly due to environmental changes. This study examines how factors like warming, infrastructure gaps, and poor management affect climate migration in the Middle East, and how migration affects regional relations. The hypothesis is that climate crises reshape migration patterns, with some countries exacerbating issues through geopolitical competition over resources.
Methodology
This research is, in terms of its objective, a descriptive-analytical study that analyzes the impact of climate change on climate-induced migration in the Middle East. In terms of methodology, it employs a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach and has been conducted using content analysis of scientific literature, reports from international organizations, and statistical data. The data required for this study were collected through library and documentary sources. These sources include articles published in reputable domestic and international journals related to climate change and migration, reports from international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Organization for Migration, library resources, and statistical data such as those published by research centers and governmental agencies.
Resalts and Discussion
The Middle East, as an arid and semi-arid region, faces severe impacts from climate change, including rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and worsening water scarcity. These conditions have disrupted livelihoods, intensified migration, and created economic and security challenges in countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Iran. In Iraq and Syria, drought and declining water resources have driven displacement and instability, while in Iran, decreasing rainfall and rising heat have led to major climate-induced migration, particularly in provinces like Khuzestan and Sistan and Baluchestan. Turkey's control over the Tigris and Euphrates through projects such as GAP has further reduced water flow to downstream countries, deepening environmental and geopolitical tensions. Overall, climate change is reshaping the region's security dynamics by heightening competition over water and land, undermining state legitimacy, and accelerating migration. The lack of international legal frameworks for climate migrants compounds these challenges, linking environmental degradation to both security and human rights concerns.
Conclusion
The present study, aimed at examining the relationship between climate change and migration in the Middle East, showed that drought, warming, water scarcity, and environmental degradation have led to forced migration, especially from rural and agriculture-dependent areas. The findings indicate that although climatic impacts are shared regionally among countries, their consequences vary depending on governance capacity, policy-making, and the socio-economic conditions of each country. The application of these findings lies in designing preventive policies, investing in climate resilience, and planning for internal or regional migration.
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