Allow our experts team to visit water resources: Iran

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): Iran Foreign Minister Hussain Amir Abdulhian had demanded permission for its technical team to visit water resources in Afghanistan.

“Recently I often told Afghan acting Foreign Minister Mullah Muttaqi to remain committed to its pledges on the bases of water treaty between the two nations and allow a technical team to see the level of water in Afghanistan.”

On Thursday, Iranian President Ibrahim Raeesi travelled to Sistan Balochistan province where he asked the Afghan government to provide water to the people of Balotchistan.

He said the IEA government should not ignore the Iranian government logic, adding that Tehran was serious regarding its de right in Helmand River Water.

Responding to Raeesi’s warning the IEA statement said that Afghanistan was committed to 1972 water treaty between the two nations.

He said due to drought in recent years the level of water had decline and people suffered as there was no enough water.

“Frequent demand for water by Iranian authorities and issuance of improper statement in this regard was not in the interest of any side,” the statement said.

Earlier, Foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Iran have discussed the Helmand River water dispute and border security issues.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), tweeted that the foreign ministers conferred on matters of mutual interest, especially the issue of Helmand River water rights.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, expressed his pleasure over the successful trip of an Afghan delegation, headed by Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi, to Iran.

The spokesman wrote Muttaqi emphasised on the early implementation of the Herat-Khaf railway project.

According to Zia, Muttaqi also raised border security-related issues with his Iranian counterpart. The minister called for joint efforts in this regard.

According to the 1972 water treaty between the two countries Afghanistan will release 820 cubic meter water to Iran from Helmand River annually if enough water existed.

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