Tensions over water resources are escalating between Iran and Afghanistan, with the construction of Afghanistan’s Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River emerging as the latest flashpoint. Tehran has accused Kabul of violating bilateral treaties, warning that the dam’s filling has already reduced water flow to downstream areas in Iran, exacerbating long-standing disputes over shared rivers.

Flowing from the mountains of central Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, the Harirud River runs along Iran’s borders with both nations. Although the Pashdan Dam in Herat province is not yet complete, its filling has reportedly reduced the water supply in downstream areas of Iran.

Registering his “strong protest” over “the disproportionate restriction of water entering Iran” caused by this project, Esmail Baqaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, stated on Jan. 3 that the “exploitation of water resources and basins cannot be carried out without respecting Iran’s rights in accordance with bilateral treaties or applicable customary principles and rules.”

Despite Tehran’s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban, its complaints regarding water shortages have not received a satisfactory response from the Afghan Taliban government. The Pashdan Dam is the latest flashpoint in the long-standing water disputes between the two nations.