Heterogeneous Diplomacy of Political Relations between Iran and Afghanistan in exploiting the water of Helmand Border River
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##
Published
Apr 2, 2024
Copyright Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The water challenge in the Middle East has caused governments to face new problems in which they have to consider more control, management, and care regarding their water resources to survive. Due to growing water consumption by upstream countries of the border rivers in exploiting the resources, we will observe an increase in hydro-political disputes among the nations. Helmand is a river that flows into Iran and includes a hydro-political aspect. It has always influenced the relations between the two countries since the border formation. The fluctuation of the Helmand water flow and decrease in the running water towards Sistan (Iran) in the last hundred years has always created problems in relations between Iran and Afghanistan at the National and local levels. In the past years, Afghanistan has consumed a significant part of the water by creating a dam, reducing the amount of water flowing into Iran. On the other side, morphological changes of the river, such as the dispute on specifying the border exactly in the changeable river bed, dispute from the instability of water rights distribution pattern between the two countries, and finally, the dispute from specifying the extent and territory of the border area has led to ecosystem instabilities. In this regard, the strategy to control the ecosystem instabilities is environment diplomacy, and if it is synchronized with defensive diplomacy, it causes stability. With this description, we will examine the Helmand peripheral issues and the course of diplomacy in this field.
Metrics
Metrics Loading ...
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Keywords
Political relations of Iran and AfghanistanHelmand RiverCommon borderEnvironment diplomacyDefensive diplomacy
References
Books
Bess Corner, Natasha. Water Security and the Middle East, translation: Pirouz Izadi, first edition, Publications of Strategic and Defense Science Research Institute of Imam Hussein University, (1993).
Fakhari, Qolamreza. The dispute between the governments of Iran and Afghanistan on the Helmand River, Ministry of Foreign Affairs publications, (1992).
Mirheydar, Durreh. Principles of political geography, Tehran, SAMT Publications, (2002).
Motevali Haqiqi, Yousef. Afghanistan, and Iran, Islamic Research Foundation of Astane Quds Razavi, (2004).
Mousavi, Sayyed Fazlullah. International rivers rights emphasizing on the areas of Jordan Lithuania and managing and planning the water, Dadgostar publication, (2010).
Partow, Sistan Oasis Parched by Drought. In Atlas of Global Change. United Nations Environmental Program, Oxford University Press,(2003).
Articles
Ahmadi, Seyyed Abbas. The Helmand’s hydro-political survey, quarterly of teaching geography, Publications of Educational Planning and Research Organization of Ministry of Education, No. 67, Tehran, (2004).
Akbari, Narges, Mashhadi, Ali, & Kazemi Foroushani, Hussein. Legal dimensions of exploiting the Helmand, Quarterly of Public Law Research, 22nd period, No.68, (2020).
Analytical-news site of Asriran, Iran’s water right from the Helmand. Behind the injustice barrier of Afghans, the news code 177020, to the address:, reference, (2011).
Badiei Azandahi, Marjan, RahimiHarAbadi, Saeid, Goudarzimehr, Saeid. The role of morphological changes of the Helmand border river in political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, quarterly of human geography researches, publications of geography institute of Tehran University, No. 78, (2011).
Darvish, Muhammad, Environmental diplomacy: the way to save the Hamon and Sistan, Controlling desertification blog to the address:, reference, (2013).
Dabiri, M. R. Legal-Historical review of the Helmand river, Iranian diplomacy site, to the address:, reference, (2011).
Ezati, E., Muhammad Hassan Khazri, Nik farjam, Mahboubeh, An analysis on hydro-politics of East of Iran, quarterly periodical of modern attitudes in human geography, fourth year, first number, (2011).
Ezati, Nasrollah, Heydari pour, Esfandiar and Eqbali, Naser, The role and position of border regions preparation in the planning system (case study: border areas of Iran), quarterly periodical of modern attitudes in human geography, third year, No.4, (2011).
Hafez Nia, M. R., Mojtahedzadeh, P. & Alizadeh, J. Hydropolitics of Helmand and its impact on political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, quarterly of human science teacher, 10th period, No. 2, (2006).
Kavyanirad, Morad, Hydro-political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, Quarterly of strategic studies, the research institute of strategic studies, No.28, eighth year, second number, (2005).
Keyvan Hosseini, Asqar, Consequences of Afghanistan crisis on the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Magazine of defensive politics, No.20-21, (1997).
Klar, Michael, New geography of disputes, translation: Omid Rezaei Eskandari, Quarterly of foreign politics, Publications of the Office of International and Political Studies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sixteenth year, No.1. (2002).
Molazehi, Pir Muhammad, Iran’s water right from the Helmand, poppy bushes, news code 35168, Tabnak site to the address:, reference (2015).
Moosazadeh, Reza, Abbaszadeh, Morteza, Legal Aspects of Exploitation of Hirmand Border River by Iran and Afghanistan, Central Asia and The Caucasus journal, Volume 22, Issue 93 (2016).
Mianabadi, Hojjat, Mostert, Erik, Hydro-politics of Hirmand river, water dispute between Iran and Afghanistan, NCR-DAYS 2011 Conference, 27-28 October, TU Delft, Netherlands (2011).
Nami, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Pour, Ali, Hydro-political survey of west areas of the country (sample: Zab, Sirvan, Alvand), Magazine of Geography and regional development, 14th number, Publications of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2010).
Najafi, A., & Vatan Fada, J. The importance of comprehensive management of water resources in transboundary drainage water, study sample; the Helmand transboundary river, 4th Iran water resources conference, Publications of Amirkabir University of Technology (2011).
Naseri Larijani, N. Interactions between the rights of treaties and the rights of international liability to justify not-fulfillment of international commitments, Magazine of international rights, 27th year, No.42, (2020).
Poorhashemi, A. Emergence of “International Environmental Law”: as a new branch of International Public Law”. CIFILE Journal of International Law, 1(2), 33-39. DOI: 10.30489/cifj.2020.218985.1013 (2020).
Poorhashemi, A. Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Future Development of International Environmental Law. In: Gökçekuş, H., Kassem, Y. (eds) Climate Change, Natural Resources and Sustainable Environmental Management. NRSEM 2021. Environmental Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. (2022).
Pourmirza, A. The role of Helmand River on the relations between Iran and Afghanistan, jamejamonline site, News code 100004202956, to the address:, reference, (2002).
Rahmanian, D., & Boraghi, D. The position of the Helmand water issue in the relations between Iran and Afghanistan during the reign of Reza Shah, History of Iran, Tehran, No. 64-65, (2010).
Raoufi, M. M., Qanbari, M. Effects of climate change and drought on biodiversity of the Hamoun’s wetland and the health of Sistan, Pure man-Pure Earth Center website, to the address:, reference, (2012).
Saed, N. Drawing the horizons of the world strategic affairs in the 2030s, English perception, periodical of strategic information, No. 47, (2007).
Saed, N., & Qasem, A. Comparative-defensive diplomacy and drawing its management pattern organism in the Islamic Republic of Iran, quarterly of defensive strategy, No. 24, (2011).
Saloor, A. The Helmand River, and the water rights dispute, quarterly of contemporary history of Iran, sixth year, No. 21-22, (2002).
Safaee Mehr, M., & Tayebi, S. Evolution of relations between Iran and Afghanistan regarding the Helmand river, National Congress on border settlement of sustainable development and investment opportunities, Parsabad city, Islamic Azad University –ParsabadMoghan Branch,, reference, (2014).
Shokri, A., Moftakhari, H., & Hosseini, M. The historical problem of Helmand and solutions to reduce the challenges caused by it, Journal of Historical Researches of Iran and Islam (JHRIS), Volume 16, Issue 30 - Serial Number 30, (2022).
Tayebi, S. & Esmaili Fard, M. Application of defensive diplomacy on the way of advancing the environmental diplomacy, Quarterly of defensive diplomacy, No.7, (2015).
Wikipedia, Relations between Iran and Afghanistan, from the free encyclopedia of Wikipedia to the address: (2014).
Zavari, M. Security consequences of water crisis for the future Iran; relying on forty possible scenarios, periodical of futurology, No. 10, (2014).
Zarif, M. J. Letter from Iran to the UN Secretary-General: Blockage of water flow in the Hirmand River (A/57/644-S/2002/1364), Fifty-seventh session, Agenda item 87, Environment and sustainable development, from UN Security Council,,Published on 13 Dec (2002).
Thesis
Alizadeh, J. Hydropolitics of the Helmand and its impact on political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, Master’s thesis, Tehran, Publications of Tarbiat Modares University (2014).
**************************************************************************************************
Bess Corner, Natasha. Water Security and the Middle East, translation: Pirouz Izadi, first edition, Publications of Strategic and Defense Science Research Institute of Imam Hussein University, (1993).
Fakhari, Qolamreza. The dispute between the governments of Iran and Afghanistan on the Helmand River, Ministry of Foreign Affairs publications, (1992).
Mirheydar, Durreh. Principles of political geography, Tehran, SAMT Publications, (2002).
Motevali Haqiqi, Yousef. Afghanistan, and Iran, Islamic Research Foundation of Astane Quds Razavi, (2004).
Mousavi, Sayyed Fazlullah. International rivers rights emphasizing on the areas of Jordan Lithuania and managing and planning the water, Dadgostar publication, (2010).
Partow, Sistan Oasis Parched by Drought. In Atlas of Global Change. United Nations Environmental Program, Oxford University Press,(2003).
Articles
Ahmadi, Seyyed Abbas. The Helmand’s hydro-political survey, quarterly of teaching geography, Publications of Educational Planning and Research Organization of Ministry of Education, No. 67, Tehran, (2004).
Akbari, Narges, Mashhadi, Ali, & Kazemi Foroushani, Hussein. Legal dimensions of exploiting the Helmand, Quarterly of Public Law Research, 22nd period, No.68, (2020).
Analytical-news site of Asriran, Iran’s water right from the Helmand. Behind the injustice barrier of Afghans, the news code 177020, to the address:
Badiei Azandahi, Marjan, RahimiHarAbadi, Saeid, Goudarzimehr, Saeid. The role of morphological changes of the Helmand border river in political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, quarterly of human geography researches, publications of geography institute of Tehran University, No. 78, (2011).
Darvish, Muhammad, Environmental diplomacy: the way to save the Hamon and Sistan, Controlling desertification blog to the address:
Dabiri, M. R. Legal-Historical review of the Helmand river, Iranian diplomacy site, to the address:
Ezati, E., Muhammad Hassan Khazri, Nik farjam, Mahboubeh, An analysis on hydro-politics of East of Iran, quarterly periodical of modern attitudes in human geography, fourth year, first number, (2011).
Ezati, Nasrollah, Heydari pour, Esfandiar and Eqbali, Naser, The role and position of border regions preparation in the planning system (case study: border areas of Iran), quarterly periodical of modern attitudes in human geography, third year, No.4, (2011).
Hafez Nia, M. R., Mojtahedzadeh, P. & Alizadeh, J. Hydropolitics of Helmand and its impact on political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, quarterly of human science teacher, 10th period, No. 2, (2006).
Kavyanirad, Morad, Hydro-political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, Quarterly of strategic studies, the research institute of strategic studies, No.28, eighth year, second number, (2005).
Keyvan Hosseini, Asqar, Consequences of Afghanistan crisis on the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Magazine of defensive politics, No.20-21, (1997).
Klar, Michael, New geography of disputes, translation: Omid Rezaei Eskandari, Quarterly of foreign politics, Publications of the Office of International and Political Studies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sixteenth year, No.1. (2002).
Molazehi, Pir Muhammad, Iran’s water right from the Helmand, poppy bushes, news code 35168, Tabnak site to the address:
Moosazadeh, Reza, Abbaszadeh, Morteza, Legal Aspects of Exploitation of Hirmand Border River by Iran and Afghanistan, Central Asia and The Caucasus journal, Volume 22, Issue 93 (2016).
Mianabadi, Hojjat, Mostert, Erik, Hydro-politics of Hirmand river, water dispute between Iran and Afghanistan, NCR-DAYS 2011 Conference, 27-28 October, TU Delft, Netherlands (2011).
Nami, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Pour, Ali, Hydro-political survey of west areas of the country (sample: Zab, Sirvan, Alvand), Magazine of Geography and regional development, 14th number, Publications of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2010).
Najafi, A., & Vatan Fada, J. The importance of comprehensive management of water resources in transboundary drainage water, study sample; the Helmand transboundary river, 4th Iran water resources conference, Publications of Amirkabir University of Technology (2011).
Naseri Larijani, N. Interactions between the rights of treaties and the rights of international liability to justify not-fulfillment of international commitments, Magazine of international rights, 27th year, No.42, (2020).
Poorhashemi, A. Emergence of “International Environmental Law”: as a new branch of International Public Law”. CIFILE Journal of International Law, 1(2), 33-39. DOI: 10.30489/cifj.2020.218985.1013 (2020).
Poorhashemi, A. Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Future Development of International Environmental Law. In: Gökçekuş, H., Kassem, Y. (eds) Climate Change, Natural Resources and Sustainable Environmental Management. NRSEM 2021. Environmental Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham.
Pourmirza, A. The role of Helmand River on the relations between Iran and Afghanistan, jamejamonline site, News code 100004202956, to the address:
Rahmanian, D., & Boraghi, D. The position of the Helmand water issue in the relations between Iran and Afghanistan during the reign of Reza Shah, History of Iran, Tehran, No. 64-65, (2010).
Raoufi, M. M., Qanbari, M. Effects of climate change and drought on biodiversity of the Hamoun’s wetland and the health of Sistan, Pure man-Pure Earth Center website, to the address:
Saed, N. Drawing the horizons of the world strategic affairs in the 2030s, English perception, periodical of strategic information, No. 47, (2007).
Saed, N., & Qasem, A. Comparative-defensive diplomacy and drawing its management pattern organism in the Islamic Republic of Iran, quarterly of defensive strategy, No. 24, (2011).
Saloor, A. The Helmand River, and the water rights dispute, quarterly of contemporary history of Iran, sixth year, No. 21-22, (2002).
Safaee Mehr, M., & Tayebi, S. Evolution of relations between Iran and Afghanistan regarding the Helmand river, National Congress on border settlement of sustainable development and investment opportunities, Parsabad city, Islamic Azad University –ParsabadMoghan Branch,
Shokri, A., Moftakhari, H., & Hosseini, M. The historical problem of Helmand and solutions to reduce the challenges caused by it, Journal of Historical Researches of Iran and Islam (JHRIS), Volume 16, Issue 30 - Serial Number 30, (2022).
Tayebi, S. & Esmaili Fard, M. Application of defensive diplomacy on the way of advancing the environmental diplomacy, Quarterly of defensive diplomacy, No.7, (2015).
Wikipedia, Relations between Iran and Afghanistan, from the free encyclopedia of Wikipedia to the address:
Zavari, M. Security consequences of water crisis for the future Iran; relying on forty possible scenarios, periodical of futurology, No. 10, (2014).
Zarif, M. J. Letter from Iran to the UN Secretary-General: Blockage of water flow in the Hirmand River (A/57/644-S/2002/1364), Fifty-seventh session, Agenda item 87, Environment and sustainable development, from UN Security Council,
Thesis
Alizadeh, J. Hydropolitics of the Helmand and its impact on political relations between Iran and Afghanistan, Master’s thesis, Tehran, Publications of Tarbiat Modares University (2014).
**************************************************************************************************
How to Cite
Poorhashemi, A. ., Tayebi, S. ., & Bornaji, M. F. . (2024). Heterogeneous Diplomacy of Political Relations between Iran and Afghanistan in exploiting the water of Helmand Border River. International Review of Law, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.29117/irl.2024.0289
Section
Articles in English