During a recent meeting with Iran's Special Envoy, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, confirmed that water from the Helmand River has reached Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
Baradar described the evolving relationship between the Taliban and the Islamic Republic as "improved and positive”, noting that the water transfer could help resolve many bilateral issues.
The meeting, held on Thursday, included the presence of the Taliban's Ministers of Energy and Water, Information and Culture, Agriculture and Livestock, and their ambassador in Tehran, as reported by Mullah Baradar's press office.
The discussions centered on enhancing political, economic, trade, and transit relations, as well as broadening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Baradar emphasised on the need for continued collaboration between the Taliban and the Islamic Republic to foster these improvements.
He highlighted that this year's high rainfall had helped channel water from the Helmand River into Nimroz Province and onward to Iran, which he believes will alleviate some challenges faced by both nations. Baradar also urged Iran to facilitate the transit of Afghan goods to European markets more effectively.
In response, Kazemi Qomi expressed satisfaction with Helmand River water reaching Sistan and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to collaborate with Afghanistan on resolving issues related to banking for traders, environmental protection, agricultural development, and the enhancement of trade and transit routes through Iran.
Furthermore, Baradar called on the Islamic Republic to stop the forced deportation of Afghan migrants, advocating for better coordination on this matter between the two governments. Additionally, the head of Iran's Environmental Protection Organisation reported that approximately 50 to 60 million cubic metres of water have been released from the Helmand River under Iran's water rights, with expectations for this amount to increase following ongoing negotiations.