Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the filling of the Pashdan Dam in Herat, has reiterated that ensuring Iran’s water rights from cross-border rivers remains a key mission for the ministry.
According to Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, Tehran is utilizing all available tools to address this issue, which is also a priority for Iran's embassy in Afghanistan.
Baghaei said, “We are using all our resources. Our embassy in Afghanistan is active, and Mr. Beikdeli, the acting ambassador, is closely following this matter. We are employing all the means at our disposal here as well.”
Tensions over securing Iran’s water rights have persisted between Tehran and Kabul for several years, often leading to strained relations between the two neighbors.
While the Islamic Emirate has not commented on the recent remarks by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, it has previously stated that Iran will receive its water rights if water is available.
Nematullah Sardarzada, a water issues expert, highlighted the terms of the agreement between the two countries, saying, “The treaty clearly accounts for climate conditions. Naturally, during droughts, water availability decreases, and Afghans cannot fulfill the agreed amount. Our neighboring country should not raise unnecessary complaints.”
The water treaty between Afghanistan and Iran was signed in 1973 by then Afghan Prime Minister Musa Shafiq and former Iranian Prime Minister Amir-Abbas Hoveyda. Under the treaty, Afghanistan is obligated to provide Iran with 26 cubic meters of water per second if water is available.
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