Iranian & Taliban Officials Discuss Helmand River Water Issues

Mohammad Javanbakht, the Deputy Minister of Energy of Iran, discussed the Helmand River water issues with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's Foreign Minister.

Ahmad Zia, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote in a statement on Tuesday that Javanbakht, has led a delegation to Kabul.

This Taliban foreign ministry official added, "The head of the Iranian delegation confirmed that a significant amount of water rights from the Helmand River has been secured this year and expressed hope to receive more water by the end of the year."

The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not comment on the purpose of the Iranian delegation’s visit.

According to Zia, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister also promised during this meeting that if water is available, he would make efforts to ensure sufficient water flows towards Iran.

Muttaqi informed the Iranian delegation that the Kajaki Dam in Helmand has lost 45% of its capacity due to sedimentation.

Earlier, Siavash Akbari, an Iranian official in Sistan & Balochistan province of Iran, had stated that Afghanistan, by constructing the Kamal Khan Dam, has made Iran's access to the Helmand River water difficult and irregular. He added that the Iranian Ministry of Energy has plans for securing and transferring drinking and clean water.