Iran secures water rights from Afghanistan following talks

KABUL (TOLOnews): The ambassador and special representative of Iran to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, said that over 300 million cubic meters of Tehran’s water rights have been secured from Afghanistan this solar year through negotiations and agreements with Afghanistan’s interim government.

In an interview with an Iranian media outlet, Hassan Kazemi Qomi said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ensured Iran’s water rights by repairing the Kamal Khan Dam gates and dredging the water transfer route towards Sistan.

Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that, given Iran’s cooperative and constructive approach and the commitments of Afghanistan’s interim government, it is expected that by the end of the current water year, Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River will be fully met.

Nematullah Sardarzada, a water management analyst, said: “It is natural that when we have water, it will flow to the neighboring country. The 300 million cubic meters of water that they have received, and hope to continue receiving in the future, depends on climate changes.”

The Islamic Emirate, emphasizing the fulfillment of Iran’s water rights, stated that if rainfall increases, it will fully provide Iran’s water rights.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews: “Our water reserves have some water, but not enough to compensate for several years of drought. We need time, and once water is managed, Iran’s water will also be provided.”

Matiullah Abid, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Water, said: “For years, there has been drought in Afghanistan, especially last year in the Helmand River basin. Our compatriots did not even have access to drinking water.”

Some experts believe that the Islamic Emirate should ensure Iran’s water rights while considering national interests.

Abdulmuheeth Ebrar Rahmani, an economist, said: “If we cannot meet our own water needs, the national economy will suffer. We must provide water according to the accepted standards.”

The water treaty between Afghanistan and Iran was signed in 1973 between Mohammad Musa Shafiq, the former Prime Minister of Afghanistan, and Amir-Abbas Hoveyda, the former Prime Minister of Iran. According to this agreement, if water is available, Afghanistan must provide 26 cubic meters of water per second to Iran.