Water Disputes Between Iran and Afghanistan

The Helmand is one of Afghanistan’s most important rivers and has been approximately 1,300 km (800 miles), It is the longest river in Afghanistan. Originating from the Koh-e Bābā heights of the Hindu Kush (q.v.) mountain range (about 40 km west of Kabul), the Helmand receives five tributaries—Kajrud (Kudrud), Arḡandāb, Terin, Arḡastān, and Tarnak. Draining the entire southwestern portion of Afghanistan (approx. 100,000 sq. miles), the river moves southwest towards the Persian border, passing through the provinces of Wardak, Oruz-gān, Helmand, and Nimruz. South of Zaranj, the river flows northward, forming the Afghan-Persian border for 55 km before emptying into the Helmand (Sistān) marshlands. The river approaches the border area through the Mārgo Desert (Dašt-e Mārgo), and upon reaching it, splits into two separate waterways. The first, called Helmand (locally also called Daryā-ye Sistān, the Sistān River), flows through the Sistān plains, where it is used for irrigation by the local population. The second, named Siḵ-sar (also called Pariān), forms the Afghan-Persian border in the villages of Nāruʾi and Miānkangi and finally drains into the Hāmun-e Helmand, the main expanse of fresh water within the Iranian Plateau. In 1884 a flood widened the small channel branching off westward from the main course; and in 1886 another flood caused the Helmand to abandon its old course that ran close to Nād ʿAli and then into what was called the Siḵ-sar channel, transferring the bulk of its waters

The disputes over the Helmand water between Iran and Afghanistan occurred in the 1870s when Afghanistan was under British control. The river has been a subject of contention between the countries on several occasion in recent decades. There has been fluctuation in Afghan-Iran relations. In 1973, the two Prime Ministers Mohammad Musa Shafiq (Afghanistan) and Abas Hoida of (Iran) finally signed an accord that accepted the flow of water into Iran at 22 cubic meters per second or 820 million cubic meters of water a year with an option for Iran to purchase an additional four cubic meters per second in “normal” water years. However, the agreement was neither ratified nor fully implemented due to political developments, including a 1973 coup in Afghanistan, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979, and also the same year Iranian Revolution occurred. and finally, the rise of the Taliban in 1996 and 2021. Despite the agreements, the river has been a subject of contention between the two countries on several occasions in the past few decades. There have been ups and downs in the Afghan-Iran relations.

The water flow of Helmand River has drastically declined in 2000-2001. “In recent years, the Helmand River has experienced dramatic declines in water flows. In 2001, the river ran at 98% below its annual average. With declining precipitation, the snowfields that supply the headwaters of the Helmand shrank from 41 000 km2 to 26 000 km2 between 1998 and 2000. With continued withdrawals for irrigated agriculture, Helmand waters failed to reach the Sistan basin altogether in 2001.At the center of the dispute, however, is the Helmand River, which runs through much of Afghanistan from its source in the mountains north of Kabul, feeding the Sistan wetlands in the border regions of the two countries.

The Helmand River serves as a crucial water source for both Afghanistan and Iran, supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and ecosystem in the region. Originating near Kabul in the Hindu Kush Mountain range, the river flows for approximately 1,150 kilometers (715 miles) before emptying into Lake Hamun, which straddles the Afghanistan-Iran border. Prior to 1979, the year in which Iran underwent the Iranian Revolution and Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union, the issue of water rights of the Helmand River was an issue of great importance between the two nations. In recent year, Afghanistan began building dams, such as Salma Dam across the Harirud River and the Kamal Khan Dam in Helmand province, to store water and increase hydropower generation.

Afghanistan has been facing extreme drought conditions, with the climate change remains one main driver of the conflict. The region suffers from a third year of drought and even though last month there were some rains that partially improved the condition compared to the year before, the situation remain the same. The area is still drier than normal year. The intensity and frequency of drought occurrence has increased in this region. Climate change has also led to increased evaporation rates particularly in this region particular in Nimruz and Iranian Sistan resulting in low irrigation efficiency. Things have got worsted in recent years due to climate change. Nowadays the due continuation of drought the farmers using underground water for agricultural purpose, because there is no enough water for irrigation purpose. The water tables have been decreasing every year.

Iran is not happy about the Salma Dam, which restricts the flow of water to Iranian provinces such as Khorasan. Iranian officials have blamed the Helmand River's declining water flow on Afghanistan’s dam projects, although droughts have also played a key role. Since the early 2000s, parts of the Helmand River in Iran have been dry for up to 10 months of the year. “We cannot remain indifferent to what is damaging our environment,” President Hassan Rouhani said in 2017. “The construction of several dams in Afghanistan – the Kajaki, Kamal Khan and Selma dams and other dams in the north and south of Afghanistan – impacts our Khorasan and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces.”

The dams have further imperiled the Hamoun wetlands, which span Iran and Afghanistan. About two-thirds of the wetlands, include three lakes, are within Iran and, for thousands of years, provided local communities with water. In 2000, the Hamoun wetlands, which covered 2,185 square miles, were the world’s seventh largest wetland. However by 2004, they had largely dried up due to drought and inefficient water use . The wetlands still constitute Iran’s third-largest lake.

One reason for Iran’s complaints could be increased demand from population growth and lack of efficient water delivery systems. Afghanistan’s development activities in the Helmand River basin should, therefore, also be proportional with river discharge and respect the rights of Iran and principles of environmental sustainability.

The impartial water management experts argue that Iranian authorities have failed to take into account the impact of climate change and prolonged droughts in the region. “Under usual circumstances, in certain winter months, Iran may have even received three times higher than the stipulated 26 cubic meters per second, or less than two cubic meters per second during summer months.

However, water management experts argue that Iranian authorities have failed to take into account the impact of climate change and prolonged droughts in the region. “Under usual circumstances, in certain winter months, Iran may have even received three times higher than the stipulated 26 cubic meters per second, or less than two cubic meters per second during summer months,” explains Assem Mayar, an Afghan water management expert and former lecturer at Kabul University.

Dust storms from the dried Hamoun lakes have caused a serious public health crisis in Iran. The region’s economy has been gravely impacted, and thousands of villagers have moved to cities for survival. The deteriorating economic situation, unemployment, and the loss of income from agriculture in both countries have spawned the trafficking of illegal drugs.

The bonds between Iran and Afghanistan are deeply rooted in their language, culture, and history. Unlike other countries in the region, Iran and Afghanistan don’t have any dispute over land, nor have they been involved in any war. Both countries, however, have a dispute over the transboundary waters of the Helmand River (Hirmand in Farsi.) It dates back to the 19th century when Afghanistan was a British protectorate and the Iran-Afghan border was defined along the main branch of the Helmand River. Despite many ups and downs in their relationship, both countries have managed to maintain close ties. The water dispute has not been a significant issue in years with adequate precipitation. However, the conflict has resurfaced periodically in dry years, especially now that major droughts have hit the region hard. Both countries are trading accusations of taking more water than the shares defined in a 1973 treaty. In reality, both sides seem to be hyping the issue as according to experts there has been no accurate measurements on the Helmand since the Soviets destroyed a system set up by the US government in the 1970s.

Since the signing of that treaty, Afghanistan has fallen into decades of conflict and has been unable to oversee its successful implementation. Moreover, communication between the two countries, especially in recent years, has become highly polarized over water rights, despite the treaty.

Recommendation and Conclusion:

Resolving the water dispute between Afghanistan and Iran requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. The Afghan government commitment is that the construction of dams is to ensure water security in consideration of the water treaty. Iranian authorities have failed to consider the impact of climate change and prolonged droughts in the region especially in Helmand and all over Afghanistan. Iranian must know due to scarcity of water farmers digging wells and use underground water for their agriculture. Both the countries already living in a volatile region and escalation of tension between Afghanistan and Iran will only make the situation more precarious. Given the challenges faced by Afghanistan both on internal and external fronts, it is also in the interest of Afghan authorities to act in a more responsible manner and pursue the course of diplomacy, Iran must get its due share of water from Helmand River. Other issues such as construction of dam on the river must be addressed through negotiations in an amicable manner. Given challenges faced by Afghanistan both on internal and external fronts, it is also in the interest of Afghan authorities to act in a more responsible manner and pursue the course of diplomacy rather dispute.

Regional cooperation and dialogue are vital for finding sustainable solutions to shared water challenges. Platforms such as the United Nations, regional the countries’ leaders should understand that the problems of the Helmand River and Hamoun lakes are not purely domestic issues, but a regional challenge that can only be resolved collectively. It is vital that both sides communicate at the level of political leaders, as well as scientific, academic, and civil societies. Resolving the water dispute between Afghanistan and Iran requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Regional cooperation and dialogue are vital for finding sustainable solutions to shared water challenges. Platforms such as the United Nations, regional organizations, and bilateral negotiations can play a crucial role in facilitating dialogue, fostering understanding, and formulating agreements that address the concerns of both nations.

Protecting the environment and natural resources is a relatively new priority for the two countries. Public awareness is vital for a successful environmental policy, and therefore Iranians and Afghans should follow. The focus should be on combining efforts toward a balanced and practical solution. Finally, it is very important that both sides express their expectations openly and communicate effectively.