Iran raises objections to Afghan dam project, escalating water dispute

Iran’s Foreign Ministry voiced strong concerns on Friday over the construction of the Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River in neighboring Afghanistan, claiming it restricts water flow and may violate bilateral treaties.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, issued a statement expressing Tehran’s “strong protest” regarding the disproportionate restriction of water entering Iran due to the dam’s construction. The concerns have been communicated to Afghan authorities, emphasizing Iran’s water rights under bilateral treaties and customary principles, as well as environmental considerations.

This issue is part of longstanding tensions between the two countries, which share a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border. Water rights have often been a source of friction in their relationship.

Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, announced last month that the Pashdan project in Herat province is nearing completion. The dam is expected to store 54 million cubic meters of water, irrigate 13,000 hectares of agricultural land, and generate two megawatts of electricity.

In response, Iranian officials have warned of potential social and environmental impacts, particularly concerning water shortages in the holy city of Mashhad. Iran has previously raised concerns over other Afghan dam projects, including one on the Helmand River, which they argue violates the water rights of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.

Tehran continues to urge Afghanistan to cooperate in maintaining the flow of water from border rivers and to address the obstacles created by the dam projects.