Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, said that Tehran and Kabul have agreed to allow Iranian experts to visit the Helmand River.
In an interview with Iran’s state TV, Qomi said that his country is committed to the 1973 water treaty and that Iran’s water rights should be ensured in accordance with that.
“Today, the rulers do not address this matter; they say that we accept it. They also highlighted this point in a recent official message, saying that a problem had emerged with the water measurement station but that it has since been fixed. The experimental work is completed. They are now in a position to share information. If the Iranian side has any concerns in this respect, our experts can go there. We are taking action in this step in this regard,” Qomi noted.
The Islamic Emirate’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, did not comment on the agreement between Kabul and Tehran about the trip of Iranian experts to the Helmand River, but he said that the Islamic Emirate remains commitment to providing Iran’s water rights.
“Iran’s water rights have been fully accepted and according to the 1973 treaty, we will definitely give Iran water because this is a commitment, but the need and necessity in Afghanistan should also be considered,” Mujahid said.
Analysts said that the rift between Afghanistan and Iran on the matter should not be political.
“Since Iran and Afghanistan both believe in the validity of the signed Helmand River Treaty, it is good that this discussion should not be politicized and should be reviewed and implemented considering the current situation in the framework and technical scope,” said Hamidullah Yelani, General Director of Afghanistan Urban Water Supply.
Earlier, the Islamic Emirate issued a statement saying that it is committed to Iran’s water rights, but in the current situation, the water level in Helmand River has decreased due to drought and there is not enough water in it.
The Helmand River Treaty was signed by the then Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Musa Shafiq and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Hoveida in 1973.
According to the treaty, Afghanistan committed to sharing the water from the Helmand River with Iran and will supply 26 cubic meters of water per second, or 850 million cubic meters annually.
