Non-resolution of Water Rights May Negatively Impact Bilateral Relation, Says Abdollahian
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's Foreign Minister, has asked the Taliban to resolve the issue of Iran's water rights from Helmand river "quickly and seriously", or it will have negative impact on Afghanistan and Iran bilateral relations in other areas.
Abdollahian had discussed the water rights issue during a phone call with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Taliban.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said that Abdollahian emphasized that handing over Iran's water rights is an important indicator for measuring the Taliban's practical commitments to international obligations towards Iran.
After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Iran has emphasized on the country's water rights from Helmand River in an unprecedented manner.
On Wednesday, Iranian President assigned the country’s foreign and energy ministries to follow up on the issue of Tehran’s water rights.
Iranian Foreign Minister on Friday told the Taliban Foreign Minister that a high-ranking delegation from the Ministry of Energy of Iran is going to visit Afghanistan soon to assess the existing obstacles and negotiate with the Taliban authorities about water rights.
According to Iranian foreign ministry, Muttaqi said, "We are committed to Iran's water rights. When water is available, we will direct it to flow towards Iran."
Iran's foreign minister stressed that the two countries can return the river to its proper channel by forming a joint technical and operational team, so that people on both sides of the border are not harmed by the wastage of water.
