Iran’s president commits to engaging in discussions with the Taliban to establish water rights

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has revealed intentions to engage in negotiations with the Taliban to secure Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River, a longstanding issue between the two nations.

During an interview on Friday night with Sistan and Baluchestan’s provincial television, Pezeshkian stated that Iranian delegations, which include provincial officials and representatives from the Ministry of Energy, have been assigned to address this matter through discussions with Taliban leaders.

“The governor and a team from the Ministry of Energy have been instructed to negotiate with our neighboring and brotherly nation, Afghanistan, regarding this issue,” Pezeshkian remarked. “We are actively seeking solutions through provincial authorities and the Ministry of Energy to tackle the current challenges.”

Iran’s entitlement to water from the Helmand River is grounded in a 1972 treaty established between the Afghan government, under Mohammad Zahir Shah, and Iran. This treaty delineates the annual water volume that Iran is entitled to receive.

Since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021, they have consistently expressed their intention to uphold the agreement. Nevertheless, Iranian officials argue that the agreed-upon water volume has not reliably reached their territory, worsening water shortages in areas such as Sistan and Baluchestan.

The ongoing negotiations between Iran and the Taliban are aimed at resolving this dispute and ensuring adherence to the treaty, as both countries face the broader challenges of water resource management in the context of climate change and regional tensions.