A session titled “Water Dispute between Iran and Afghanistan” was held on the Skyroom platform.
At the beginning of the session, the speakers discussed the historical roots of the water dispute between the two countries, examining how water-related challenges have developed and persisted over the past decades. Special attention was given to the significance of the Helmand River as a vital water source in the region—one that has long played a decisive role in the economic, social, and environmental life on both sides of the border. Following that, the speakers turned to the current consequences of the water crisis for Nimruz Province in Afghanistan and the Sistan region in Iran. They highlighted the wide-ranging impacts of the crisis, including increased migration, declining human security, and rising social discontent. Each speaker then proposed potential solutions for the management of shared water resources between Iran and Afghanistan.
Najib Agha Fahim, a former professor at Kabul University and an expert on Afghanistan’s trans-boundary waters and border disputes, argued that resolving the water conflict requires the academic and scientific communities of both countries to come together and, through research, provide practical solutions. He stressed that establishing a neutral and expert committee could facilitate a sustainable solution. In his view, confrontational approaches cannot resolve the problem and are likely to worsen it. He further noted that both governments, in Iran and Afghanistan, have so far struggled with mismanagement in this area.
Ahmad Mir, a lecturer in International Relations at universities in Sistan and Balochistan, emphasized that the roots of the water conflict must be sought beyond the borders of the two countries. He argued that a joint commission of Iranian and Afghan experts could provide the right framework for identifying and analyzing the underlying issues. According to him, neither government has yet engaged with the issue in a serious or effective manner. For this reason, he highlighted the crucial role of civil society and public opinion in both countries, as pressure from citizens and civic groups could push governments toward more responsible policies and solutions.
Ajmal Nimruzi, a PhD scholar in International Development Studies focusing on Nimruz Province and northern Sistan and Balochistan, argued that one of the fundamental challenges in the water dispute is the exclusion of local communities from decision-making and problem-solving processes. In his view, lasting solutions require active and meaningful participation of people on both sides of the border. At present, he noted, the burden of the water crisis falls primarily on local populations, while governments themselves are less affected. Nimruzi stressed the need for a people-centered approach in policymaking. He identified access to economic resources for local people as a key factor in resolving conflicts, suggesting that once such access is ensured, many security-related issues would also be mitigated. Moreover, given the new environmental conditions facing the region and the world, he called for innovative solutions adapted to these emerging realities.
Habibollah Javan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Islamic Azad University of Zabol, underlined that the resolution of the water dispute between Iran and Afghanistan should be pursued through diplomacy. He argued that diplomatic approaches have proven effective in managing international conflicts. Javan further emphasized the need for independent think tanks, composed of experts and scholars, to generate and present practical recommendations for policymakers. He maintained that, with genuine political will on both sides, resolving the water issue is achievable. Referring to the theory of “interdependence,” he suggested that this framework could provide useful insights for managing the dispute. He concluded by highlighting the necessity of leveraging academic and scientific capacities in both Iran and Afghanistan to move toward solutions.
The session was jointly organized by the Sistan & Balochistan branch of the Iranian Association for West Asian Studies, TECODH (a private think tank), Department of Political Science at Zabol’s Islamic Azad University, and the Regional Convergence Union of Fajrestan. The event, managed by Mostafa Khodarahmi, was held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 19:00 to 21:00.