RASC News Agency: Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, has stated that Afghanistan has failed to uphold its obligations under the Helmand River Water Treaty, exacerbating Iran’s ongoing water crisis. He urged Iran’s border provinces to enhance cooperation with their Afghan counterparts to address transboundary water management issues more effectively. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Araghchi remarked, “We have a binding treaty with Afghanistan concerning the Helmand River, yet it is not being properly enforced. As for the Harirud River, which supplies water to Mashhad, no formal agreement or legal framework currently exists.”
Araghchi emphasized that Iran possesses significant economic leverage along the border, including fuel, energy, and trade resources, which, if strategically utilized, could facilitate diplomatic negotiations with Afghanistan provinces. However, he cautioned against excessive reliance on transboundary water resources, underscoring the importance of domestic water conservation and resource management. “If a drought occurs, it is only natural that our neighboring country will prioritize its own water needs before releasing any toward Iran,” he noted. The foreign minister further revealed that during his recent diplomatic visit to Kabul, Iran’s water rights were a central topic in discussions with Taliban officials. Last month, he led a high-ranking Iranian delegation to Afghanistan, where he engaged in high-stakes negotiations with Taliban authorities on security, water-sharing disputes, counterterrorism cooperation, and intelligence-sharing initiatives.
This is not the first time Iranian officials have accused the Taliban government of failing to honor their commitments under the Helmand River Treaty. Tehran has repeatedly criticized Kabul for failing to deliver Iran’s allocated water share. Recently, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned that Tehran would secure its rightful water supply from Afghanistan by force if necessary. However, the Taliban insist they remain committed to the treaty, maintaining that despite severe drought conditions, they have fulfilled their obligations regarding Iran’s water entitlements.
