The United States has intervened in the escalating water dispute between Iran and Afghanistan, urging the Taliban administration to uphold its 1973 water treaty obligations with Tehran regarding the shared Helmand River. This development, occurring in mid-May 2023, follows a strong warning from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Afghanistan over its management of the vital waterway. The intervention adds a new dimension to already complex regional dynamics, traditionally dominated by issues of oil and security.

The US State Department, through Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, publicly called for adherence to the treaty. On May 18, 2023, West stated via social media that "Afghanistan’s 1973 water treaty with Iran is clear. We urge the Taliban to honor their commitments and help the Iranian people in a difficult situation." This statement underscored Washington’s support for Iran’s position in the long-standing water allocation disagreement, which has been exacerbated by drought conditions in the region.

The dispute centers on the Helmand River, a critical water source flowing from Afghanistan into Iran's arid Sistan-Baluchestan province. Iran contends that Afghanistan has been restricting water flow, violating the 1973 treaty signed by the two nations. This treaty outlines specific water allocations to Iran, intended to supply drinking water and irrigate agricultural lands in the downstream province, which has been severely impacted by drought and a lack of water.

  • 1973 Helmand River Water Treaty: This bilateral agreement, signed between the then-governments of Iran and Afghanistan, stipulates the volume of water from the Helmand River that Afghanistan is obligated to allow to flow into Iran.
  • Geographic Impact: Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, bordering Afghanistan, is heavily reliant on the Helmand River for both human consumption and agriculture.
  • Kamal Khan Dam: Afghanistan's construction and operation of the Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River, completed in 2021, has been cited by Iran as a factor contributing to reduced water flow.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi issued a stern warning to the Taliban administration on May 18, 2023, during a visit to Sistan-Baluchestan province. President Raisi stated, "I warn the rulers of Afghanistan to immediately give the people of Sistan and Baluchestan their water right," emphasizing that Iran would not allow the rights of its people to be violated. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also indicated that Iran views the water issue as a priority in its diplomatic engagements with Afghanistan.

In response, the Taliban administration maintained that Afghanistan is committed to the 1973 treaty but emphasized that natural factors, such as drought, affect water availability. Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated on May 19, 2023, that Afghanistan needs water for its own agriculture and population but is prepared for dialogue to resolve the issue. He called on Iran to provide accurate information regarding water levels to facilitate resolution. The situation remains a point of contention, with calls for diplomatic solutions amidst increasing regional pressure.