Iran is facing a severe water and electricity crisis just weeks after a deadly war with Israel brought the country to a standstill. Although the extreme heat has eased, reservoirs are running dry, daily blackouts continue and economists say years of poor planning and corruption have left the country dangerously exposed.

DUBAI: Iran’s top security body approved the establishment of a National Defence Council on Sunday, according to state media, following a short air war with Israel in June that was Iran’s most acute military challenge since the 1980s war with Iraq.