Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has stated that Iran and Turkmenistan have legitimate rights to water from the Harirud River, which flows through Afghanistan, and that negotiations are needed to secure these rights.
According to IRNA report, Aliabadi emphasized: “Our country and Turkmenistan have a rightful share of the Harirud River’s water. However, the upstream neighboring country has built the Salma Dam. We need to engage in talks to ensure water flow reaches the Doosti Dam” (a joint hydroelectric facility between Iran and Turkmenistan).
Geography and Infrastructure
The Harirud River (also known as the Hari River) is approximately 1,100 kilometers long and originates in the central highlands of Afghanistan (in the Lal-wa-Sarjangal district). It flows through the provinces of Ghor and Herat, forms part of the border between Afghanistan and Iran, and then enters Turkmenistan, where it is called the Tejen River.
The river is primarily fed by snowmelt and rainfall during the winter and spring seasons. About two-thirds of its flow is currently used for irrigating lands in Afghanistan and Iran.
The Doosti Dam (also known as the Iran-Turkmenistan Friendship Dam or Dostluk Dam), located on the Tejen River along the Iran-Turkmenistan border, was commissioned in 2005.
In Afghanistan, dams on the Harirud include the Salma Dam (officially the Afghan-India Friendship Dam) and the Pashdan Dam. The Pashdan Dam, in the Karukh district of Herat province, has been prepared for water storage with a capacity of 54 million cubic meters. The Salma Dam, built with Indian assistance and operational since 2016, can store 633 million cubic meters of water and irrigates around 75,000 hectares of land.
Diplomatic Tensions
The construction of dams and water management systems in Afghanistan has long raised concerns among downstream neighbors, particularly Iran. Currently, the only formal water-sharing agreement between Iran and Afghanistan covers the Helmand River (known as Hirmand in Iran).
In recent years, amid severe droughts in the region, Tehran has repeatedly accused Kabul of breaching the Helmand agreement.
Iranian officials have criticized Afghanistan’s dam projects on the Harirud, which is vital for supplying water to the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad. In October 2025, Iran highlighted a critical water shortage in Mashhad, where reservoir levels supplying the city had dropped to less than 3%.
Iran’s Position
The Iranian Energy Minister noted that the country’s president has instructed political officials to intensify efforts to secure Iran’s water rights. According to Aliabadi, Iran has held multiple rounds of talks with the Taliban administration.
Last year, Iran reportedly was unable to receive its full allocation last year. “I have invited twice Afghans to visit Iran and I will invite a third time, but next time we are ready to send a delegation to this country to closely follow up on the matter,” the minister added.
Turkmenistan’s Stance on Water Issues
Meanwhile, Turkmenistan has repeatedly outlined its broader stance on regional water challenges. The country advocates for resolutions based on three key principles: adherence to international law, consideration of the interests of all regional states, and involvement of international organizations, particularly the United Nations. ///nCa, 7 January 2026