Iran’s top diplomat visits Kabul to discuss refugees, water issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi visited Kabul on Sunday, marking the highest-level visit by an Iranian official to the Afghan capital since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

In a statement, Afghanistan’s Taliban-run foreign ministry said Araghchi met with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss a range of issues, including economic ties, the condition of Afghan refugees and water and border issues.

Muttaqi expressed hope that Araghchi’s visit would enhance relations between Afghanistan and Iran.

Muttaqi urged his Iranian counterpart to prioritize improving conditions for Afghan refugees in Iran, where millions are currently living. In recent years, Tehran has increased the forced deportation of undocumented Afghans.

Water issues between the two countries also took centre stage.

Iran has demanded more water from Afghanistan’s Helmand River, while Afghanistan claims that the water level is down due to climate change and drought. But Kabul has emphasized it remains committed to the decades-old water treaty between the two countries.

According to the Afghan ministry, Araghchi praised the Taliban’s government’s progress, and proposed greater cooperation on combating drug trafficking and addressing water issues through technical collaboration.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi visited Kabul on Sunday, marking the highest-level visit by an Iranian official to the Afghan capital since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

In a statement, Afghanistan’s Taliban-run foreign ministry said Araghchi met with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss a range of issues, including economic ties, the condition of Afghan refugees and water and border issues.

Muttaqi expressed hope that Araghchi’s visit would enhance relations between Afghanistan and Iran.

Muttaqi urged his Iranian counterpart to prioritize improving conditions for Afghan refugees in Iran, where millions are currently living. In recent years, Tehran has increased the forced deportation of undocumented Afghans.

Water issues between the two countries also took centre stage.

Iran has demanded more water from Afghanistan’s Helmand River, while Afghanistan claims that the water level is down due to climate change and drought. But Kabul has emphasized it remains committed to the decades-old water treaty between the two countries.

According to the Afghan ministry, Araghchi praised the Taliban’s government’s progress, and proposed greater cooperation on combating drug trafficking and addressing water issues through technical collaboration.