After the start of the second Taliban era in Afghanistan, Iran contributed to the solution of the Afghan Problem by supporting various diplomatic processes. They also developed de facto relations with the Taliban and attended various conferences. Although Iran demands an inclusive government in Afghanistan, it is also seen that Afghanistan has handed over the Tehran Embassy to the Taliban. Preventing the US from returning to Afghanistan and limiting the activities of Takfiri terrorist organizations, including DAESH, are among the primary objectives of the Tehran administration. However, it should also be noted that the Taliban-Iranian relations are not completely solid. Traditional problems such as the Water Issue continue to complicate relations between Afghanistan and Iran. The use of water resources between the Helmend and Herirod rivers has occasionally caused disagreements between the parties and the disputes over the sharing of the Helmend River come to the fore.
The fourth meeting in the format of “Afghanistan’s Neighbors” held in Uzbekistan on April 13, 2023, revealed the attitude of the Tehran administration by clearly demonstrating that Iran continues its expectations and demands regarding the Water Problem. Therefore, the meeting offers important clues about the future of Tehran-Kabul relations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Emir Abdullahiyan attended the meeting and returned to Tehran after the summit. Abdullahiyan drew attention with the statements he made on April 17, 2023. He stated that they met with the Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki about the Water Problem and they openly expressed Iran’s claims regarding the Helmand River. Abdullahiyan also shared his views on this issue on his personal Twitter account.[1] Diplomacy is being carried out between the parties on the Helmand River issue, but a solution has not been reached yet. This means that there may be tensions in the future.
It can be recalled that Iranian Vice President Mohammad Muhbir, who made a visit to Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province, stated in a statement in January 2023 that the biggest problem of the local people is the Water Problem, and therefore drought and environmental problems. The informant stated that they would do everything necessary to defend his country’s rights in the Helmend River.[2]
Considering the existence of the Helmand River, which is the main cause of the water conflict between Iran and Afghanistan, there is an agreement on the sharing of water between the parties. However, despite this agreement signed in 1972, Iran tends to demand more than the agreement envisages. The Iranian government, taking advantage of the authority vacuum during the American occupation, exhibited a use that exceeded the determined water regime. In other words, Iran violated the 1972 agreement.
However, the general tendency of the decision makers in Kabul is to take less water or cut off the water flow altogether, even beyond Iran’s rights. This is a violation of the agreement. For example, during the first Taliban era, the Taliban administration did not allow any flow of water to Iran. During the occupation period, Afghan decision-makers brought the “water for oil” formula to the agenda, used this issue as a bargaining chip, and tried to gain gains by putting forward the water trump card in meeting Afghanistan’s energy needs. Also, during the occupation period, Afghanistan tried to build dams in a way that would disrupt the existing water regime. During the second Taliban period, the conflict continued, although the Taliban administration provided water flow to Iran from time to time. While the Taliban administration is trying to continue the construction of the dams initiated during the reigns of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, this situation arises against Iran’s interests and expectations.
Currently, the Taliban’s biggest problem is that it has faced the problem of international recognition. Therefore, it would not be surprising if the Taliban developed a strategy that could be described as “recognition for water”. However, Iran does not like the international recognition of the Taliban administration and has not given any indication on this issue. On the contrary, Iran believes that the countries in the region should take a collective stance and that is why Iranian officials attend the relevant conferences.
As a result, the Water Problem, which is a historical issue that is not expected to be resolved in the near future, continues between Iran and Afghanistan. Even during the second Taliban era, no concrete progress was made in this regard. However, Iranian officials from time to time emphasize the rights of the Tehran administration in the Helmand River and point out that the water tension between the parties may increase.
[1] “Iran Reiterates Claim on Shared Water Resources with Afghanistan”, Middle East Monitor, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230417-iran-reiterates-claim-on-shared-water-resources-with-afghanistan/, (Date of Accession: 19.04.2023).
[2] “ایران: مسئله حقآبه هیرمند از طریق مجامع بین المللی پیگیری می شود”, Sputnik.af, https://shorturl.at/svEW1, (Date of Accession: 19.04.2023).
