The construction of the Pashdan Dam by the Taliban has severely reduced water supplies to Iran, aggravating a long-standing crisis compounded by environmental neglect and geopolitical tensions in the region.
Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens Amid Taliban Dam’s Impact on Hari River Supply
Iran’s already severe water crisis is worsening due to a new hydroelectric dam constructed by the Taliban on the Hari River, a vital water source flowing from Afghanistan into northeastern Iran. The Pashdan Dam, launched by the Taliban on August 14, has drastically reduced water flow to the Doosti Dam downstream, which supplies the city of Mashhad—home to approximately 3.5 million people. Iranian officials report that the Doosti reservoir has nearly “dried up,” raising grave concerns about water availability in one of Iran’s most populous urban centres.
The Hari River dispute exemplifies long-standing tensions over transboundary water rights between Iran and Afghanistan. The river spans a 900-kilometre border region and is critical to millions in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi Province. Under pre-existing agreements, Iran is entitled to receive about 820 million cubic metres of water annually. However, the Taliban’s construction of the Pashdan Dam, along with other projects like Salma and planned Tirpul and Ghofghan dams, has disrupted normal water flows. Despite Tehran repeatedly urging “reasonable and equitable use” under international law, the Taliban have not honoured these commitments. They argue that such dam projects are essential for Afghanistan’s economic self-sufficiency—claiming the Pashdan Dam alone will irrigate some 13,000 hectares of farmland in Herat.
Experts and observers criticise both the Taliban and Iranian authorities for their respective roles in the crisis. Political analyst Fatemeh Aman told Radio Farda that Iran’s water problems originate not only in external factors like the Taliban’s dam building but also in years of internal mismanagement and environmental neglect. She pointed to a pattern of ignoring or imprisoning environmental activists and relying heavily on shared water sources without adequately preparing or addressing emerging threats. Meanwhile, Iranian media and commentators accuse the Taliban of blatant disregard or refusal to acknowledge Iran’s water rights and call Tehran’s diplomatic response “weak.” The moderate conservative newspaper Jomhuriy-e Eslami labelled Taliban behaviour as “hostile” and suggested Iran has not taken a sufficiently firm stance.
Iran faces a perfect storm of challenges: deepening drought, climate change impacts, and geopolitical disputes over water resources. Tehran officials acknowledge the severity of the crisis, warning that parts of the country could become uninhabitable. Some international actors, such as Israel, have reportedly voiced hopes that water scarcity might fuel internal dissent against the Iranian regime.
The water dispute is unfolding alongside broader regional tensions involving Iran. In diplomatic developments, Iran has rejected a European powers’ (Britain, France, Germany—the E3) offer to extend the “snapback” mechanism deadline by which UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal could be reinstated. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi insisted that the European powers have no right to prolong this mechanism, set to expire in October, even as the E3 warn they may trigger it by the end of August if nuclear talks with the United States fail to progress. This confrontation adds to the strained relations Iran faces on multiple fronts.
In parallel geopolitical news, Iran and Belarus have agreed to strengthen defense cooperation, seeking to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions through mutual support. The two nations’ leaders discussed expanding ties from food provision to military-technical collaboration during an official visit by Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian to Minsk.
Together, these developments paint a picture of a country grappling with profound domestic environmental crises exacerbated by complex international disputes and sanctions pressures. While the Taliban’s dam projects on the Hari River highlight regional water competition, Iran’s internal mismanagement and lack of timely response have also significantly contributed to the worsening crisis. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective transboundary water diplomacy, regional cooperation, and robust environmental governance to prevent further escalation and humanitarian distress.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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