IFP Exclusive

Iranian foreign minister stresses Helmand water rights in conversation with Afghan counterpart

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has emphasized that Iran’s water rights from Helmand River are a serious matter and would affect ties with the Taliban government.

In a phone conversation with Taliban’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday, Amirabdollahian said the Taliban government’s verbal commitment to providing Iran’s water rights from Helmand was a positive matter but he demanded action.

“Opening the water gates [into Iran] by Afghanistan and providing Iran’s water share in practice is a serious demand of the Islamic Republic of Iran and this affects bilateral relations,” Amirabdollahian said.

He said the Taliban’s failure to allow Iran’s share of water from Helmand to flow into the country’s territory had caused a drought and much suffering for Iranians in Sistan-and-Baluchestan Province.

The Iranian foreign minister repeated a demand that water from the river be immediately allowed into Iran.

Muttaqi repeated the Taliban government’s commitment but spoke of drought in Afghanistan itself and technical issues.

The two sides also discussed border security, as well as cooperation in the transfer of electricity, railway, and border trade.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.

Recent Posts

Iran says all crew members of seized Israel-owned ship released

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says all crew of an Israeli-owned Portuguese-flagged ship recently seized…

2 hours ago

Iranian universities rise up to support expelled pro-Palestinian students in US, Europe

Dozens of universities in Iran have offered free scholarships to the students who have been…

2 hours ago

4-year-old child found in Iran days after going missing             

A 4-year-old Iranian child has been found five days after going missing in the country's…

2 hours ago

Pro-Palestine students set up encampments at UK universities

Pro-Palestine students at campuses across the United Kingdom have set up encampments demanding that their…

16 hours ago

Israel threatens to retaliate against Palestine if ICC issues arrest warrants: Report

Tel Aviv has threatened that it will retaliate against the Palestinian Authority (PA) if the…

16 hours ago

1k Gaza workers in Israel ‘remain missing’: Palestinian rights groups

Palestinian human rights organisations have reported that there is no information available about 1,000 workers…

17 hours ago