Chabahar's 110 Hectares: Red Carpet for the Taliban | What Is Iran's Share of These Concessions?

Debate over transferring land in Chabahar port to Afghanistan for logistical purposes has once again raised an important question about how Iran engages with the Taliban government: In exchange for the political and economic concessions Tehran has granted Kabul in recent years, what guarantees has Tehran secured to protect its strategic interests? This is especially pressing on the issue of water rights from border rivers, which directly affects water security and livelihoods in parts of Iran's population.

The discussion about handing over Chabahar port lands to Afghanistan for logistical purposes has once again raised an important question about Iran's interaction with the Taliban government: What guarantees has Tehran received to secure its strategic interests against the political and economic concessions it has given to Kabul in recent years? Especially in the issue of border rivers, which is directly related to water security and livelihood of parts of Iran's population.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the story of handing over 110 hectares of Chabahar Port land to Afghanistan, although it has been denied by the local authorities, has provided a basis for criticism of Iran's policy towards the Taliban. Until the official and documented details of this matter are clarified, it is not possible to comment with certainty about the principle of the handover or its dimensions. However, the question about the balance of Iran's points and achievements in relations with the Taliban government is an independent issue that can be investigated.

Political points against which achievements?

Since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan, Iran has tried to expand its economic and commercial relations with this country while maintaining communication channels with the new rulers of Kabul. Afghanistan's geographical location, border links and transit capacities have made this country one of Iran's important neighbors; Especially in a situation where sanctions have made the development of trade routes and cooperation with regional countries more important for Tehran.

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However, critics of Iran's foreign policy believe that the expansion of economic and political relations should not be separated from negotiations on strategic issues. From their point of view, any possible concession to the Afghan side should be defined in a framework that provides mutual benefits and brings a specific achievement to solve long-standing disputes, including the issue of Haqaba.

title; An issue beyond business relations

The dispute over Iran's claim to the Hirmand River is one of the most important disputed issues between Tehran and Kabul. The decrease in incoming water flow, drought and pressure on water resources have doubled the importance of this case for the eastern regions of Iran. In the Harirud basin, the issue of managing common water resources and its effect on the supply of water needed by the downstream areas is one of the important issues in the relations between the two countries.

In such a situation, holding diplomatic meetings or increasing trade exchanges alone cannot be a sign of foreign policy success. The main criterion should be the degree of fulfillment of obligations, establishment of monitoring mechanisms and achieving sustainable solutions for existing disputes.

Water diplomacy instead of costly solutions

The development of trade with Afghanistan can be beneficial for both countries, but this cooperation will lead to the strengthening of Iran's national interests when it is accompanied by serious pursuit of strategic issues. Active water diplomacy, the use of legal and technical mechanisms and the creation of evaluable agreements, can be more effective than relying solely on costly water transfer projects or proposals such as buying water from Afghanistan; However, the feasibility of each option should be evaluated with expert reviews.

Finally, the main issue is not the principle of interaction with the Taliban, but the quality and result of this interaction. If economic and political concessions are granted without corresponding achievements in critical cases, the necessity of reviewing the negotiation method will become more serious. Foreign policy is successful when it develops relations with neighbors and, at the same time, provides concrete long-term interests of the country.