Social-ecological systems, as coupled human-natural systems, encompass a wide range of intertwined relationships between human societies and ecosystems. The key role of water resources in development and the link between human societies and ecosystems, on the one hand, and the intensification of climate change and reduced access to water resources in arid and semi-arid regions, on the other, have led to an increase in water conflicts and fueled social conflicts. Given the increasing trend of unsustainable development in most watersheds in Iran, the effectiveness of resource management is linked to water governance practices. In this study, an attempt has been made to identify the policy guidelines for implementing water governance through the SWOT technique. The results of this study show that based on the superiority of weaknesses over strengths and the dominance of threats over opportunities in the socio-ecological system of Iran, the conservative strategy (WO) will be more effective. Therefore, to implement water governance, it is necessary for the country's macro policies to shift from a mode of confrontation to a mode of adaptation to climate change.