TEHRAN: Iran has voiced strong objections to Afghanistan's construction of the Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River, citing violations of customary water rights and potential adverse effects on water supply and the environment. The Iranian government has expressed concerns over the dam's impact on millions of people, particularly in the downstream areas of Iran, and has called for cooperative management of the river's resources.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Issa Bozorgzadeh, the spokesman for Iran's water industry, emphasized that the unilateral actions by Afghanistan are reducing the natural flow of the Harirud border river. This reduction has led to social and environmental challenges, especially affecting the drinking water supply for the city of Mashhad in Iran's Razavi Khorasan Province. Bozorgzadeh underscored the interconnectedness of Mashhad and Herat, stressing that any disruption in the watershed would inevitably affect all residents.

Iran has consistently communicated its concerns through diplomatic channels, urging Afghanistan to mitigate the negative cross-border impacts of dam construction in the Harirud basin. The Iranian government advocates for sustainable development and cooperation, rather than unilateral exploitation, to ensure mutual benefits for the countries sharing the river.

Bozorgzadeh further highlighted the necessity of adhering to international water laws and called on Afghanistan to respect historical and customary water rights. He appealed for collaboration based on principles of good neighborliness to ensure the fair use of the Harirud River, emphasizing that cooperative management would prevent harm to downstream regions and promote friendly relations between the two countries.