Taliban Emphasises on Commitment to Water Agreement Between Iran & Afghanistan

Following the unprecedented pressure from the Iran government towards Taliban to secure water rights, the group once again has announced that they are committed to the water agreement.

Taliban’s spokespersons for the ministries of foreign affairs and energy and water said that regular meetings are currently ongoing with Iran and based on the agreement of 1973, Afghanistan is committed to its implementation.

Iranian president on Thursday during a trip to Sistan and Balochistan province of his country warned Taliban and said that the group should provide his country with their water rights from the Helmand River. President Ebrahim Raisi emphasised that the Afghan side should take the warning seriously and must not complain later that they have not been forewarned.

On Wednesday, Iranian foreign minister also during a phone call told Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban’s foreign minister, that securing Iran's rights is a serious demand of this country and has an impact on the relations between the two countries.

After the Taliban’s takeover of power in Afghanistan, the Iranian government stressed on their water rights from the Helmand River. These pressures and warnings have increased over the past few months.

Matiullah Abid, Taliban’s spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Water, said that the commissioners of the two sides regulate the water levels, according to the 1973 agreement.

Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, also said that the group’s stance regarding Iran’s water rights according to the 1973 agreement is clear and they are committed to maintaining good relations with their neighbouring countries.

The water agreement between Afghanistan and Iran had been signed by former prime minister of Afghanistan and former prime minister of Iran in 1973.