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Tehran says Helmand River water transfer underway, pushes for continued flow
IEA representatives have also accused Iran of politicizing the issue and claim they remain committed to the treaty “in principle,” provided that water resources are available.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced this week that a portion of Iran’s allocated water from the Helmand River is currently being received, as diplomatic efforts continue to ensure the sustained flow.
Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Mohajerani emphasized that the issue of Iran’s water rights from the Helmand is longstanding and remains a priority for the government. “Fortunately, part of the water is currently being transferred, and negotiations for maintaining this flow are still underway,” she said.
Mohajerani also highlighted the environmental dimensions of the dispute, expressing hope that ongoing dialogue and cooperation would lead to a resolution that addresses ecological concerns in the affected regions.
The dispute stems from a decades-old agreement between Iran and Afghanistan, signed in the 1970s, which outlines Iran’s right to water from the Helmand River—a key water source along the shared border.
Since the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in Afghanistan nearly four years ago, Iranian officials have repeatedly urged Kabul to honor the treaty.
Iran continues to push for a diplomatic resolution to the issue, stressing the need for regional cooperation to prevent further environmental degradation and water insecurity.
In response to Tehran’s complaints, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials have maintained that water flow to Iran depends on the natural availability of water and weather conditions.
They have denied intentionally restricting the flow and argue that prolonged drought and lower reservoir levels have made it impossible to fulfill the full allocation as stipulated in the treaty.
IEA representatives have also accused Iran of politicizing the issue and claim they remain committed to the treaty “in principle,” provided that water resources are available.
In previous statements, IEA officials have invited Iranian experts to inspect the Kajaki Dam and other water infrastructure to verify the situation on the ground—a proposal Tehran has yet to publicly respond to in detail.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Berlin was only in technical contact with the Islamic Emirate and does not intend to recognize the current ruling regime in Afghanistan.
During a meeting in Vienna, Wadephul added that Germany will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
“There are serious concerns about the humanitarian situation there, the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and particularly the situation of women and girls, and we, as the federal government, will continue to make these clear to the Taliban’s de facto regime,” said Wadephul.
Currently, the Afghan consulate in Munich, Germany, operates in coordination with the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate.
However, Kabul has repeatedly emphasized the need for diplomatic and meaningful relations and has stated that concerns over human rights violations in Afghanistan are unfounded.
Germany’s interior minister had said earlier this month that he wants to negotiate a direct agreement with the Islamic Emirate on receiving Afghan migrants deported from Germany.
Since the summer of 2021, only one deportation flight of Afghan migrants has taken place from Germany to Afghanistan.
In August of last year, 28 Afghan asylum seekers who had committed crimes were returned to Kabul from Germany with the assistance of Qatar.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable development in Afghanistan during a meeting between Bakhtiyor Saidov, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, and Abdul Ghafar Terawi, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, on Friday.
According to Saidov’s post on X, the two diplomats discussed pressing bilateral and regional issues, emphasizing the importance of integrating Afghanistan into regional and global supply chains.
Saidov highlighted that expanding economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and fostering dynamic partnerships are key to promoting lasting stability and prosperity across the region.
The meeting underscores Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Afghanistan and contribute to peace and development in Central Asia.
Pakistani and Iranian diplomats have held a virtual meeting to discuss regional cooperation and developments in Afghanistan.
Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and Muhammad Raza Bahrami, Director of South Asia Department of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, explored ways to strengthen regional engagement and coordination on Afghanistan.
Sadiq described the meeting as “productive” in a post on X, noting that both sides shared concerns over terrorism as a mutual challenge and discussed avenues for enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
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