Iran and Afghanistan are locked in a long-standing dispute over the sharing of water from the Helmand River.
What is the conflict?
Helmand River is a vital source of water for both Iran and Afghanistan.
The river supports agriculture, livelihoods and ecosystems in the region.
Afghanistan and Iran have been at loggerheads over the sharing of river water for over a century.
Helmand River - The Helmand is Afghanistan’s longest river.
It originates near Kabul in the western Hindu Kush mountain range.
It flows in a southwesterly direction through desert areas for a total of about 1,150 kilometers before emptying into Lake Hamun, which straddles the Afghanistan-Iran border.
Lake Hamun - It is the largest freshwater lake in Iran.
Fed by the Helmand, it used to be one of the world’s largest wetlands, straddling 4,000 sq.km between Iran and Afghanistan.
But it has since dried up, experts blame on drought and the impact of dams and water controls.
The lake is of great importance for the regional environment and economy.
What is the Helmand River Treaty?
Afghanistan and Iran signed an agreement called the Helmand River Treaty in 1973.
The treaty was signed to regulate the allocation of river water.
But the accord was neither ratified nor fully implemented, causing disagreements and tensions to persist.
According to Iran’s parliament, 25% to 30% of the population has left the region over the past two decades because of the water shortages.
What do Tehran and Kabul accuse each other of?
Iran - Iran has accused Afghanistan of violating its water rights for years.
Iran argues that far less water than the amount agreed to in the 1973 treaty flows into Iran.
Afghanistan’s construction of dams, reservoirs and irrigation systems along the Helmand River is a concern for them.
They feel these projects might reduce water flow into Iran.
Afghanistan - Afghanistan has rejected Iran’s accusations.
Afghanistan blamed climatic factors like a shortage of rainfall, which resulted in reduced river water volumes.
They argue that they have rights to expand water storage and irrigation capacities within Afghanistan.
What’s the state of Tehran-Taliban ties?
Iran and Afghanistan share a 950-kilometer land border.
Both countries have no major territorial disputes.
Iran has so far refrained from formally recognizing the Taliban government.
But it has been pragmatic and maintained relations with Afghanistan’s current rulers.
Both Iran and Taliban were united in their opposition to the US’s presence in the region.
What’s the current situation?
Both sides are looking for short-term solutions, so that they could go ahead in solving their internal problems.
There is a widespread demonstration and political unrest in the Sistan-Baluchistan region.
Public anger in the eastern Iranian region is growing with the water shortages amidst other socio-economic problems.
The latest clash between Iranian and Taliban troops has increased the tensions.
Both the countries have also agreed to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate on the border shootout.
What is the need of the hour?
Water resources from Lake Hamun are critical to the drought-stricken province.
Both sides should address the mismanagement of water resources and tackle the environmental problems in the region.
They should come up with a sustainable solution to resolve the water dispute.
Both countries need to work more closely together and share information to determine availability and flow of water into Iran.
Iran-Afghanistan relationship has to be closer to achieve goals such as the preservation of Lake Hamun.
