Iranian FM says Tehran not recognize incumbent ruling body in Afghanistan

Amirabdollahian made the remarks on May 25 during a meeting between Foreign Ministry officials and Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Imam Khomeini, at the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, according to IRNA.

“We do not recognize the incumbent ruling body of Afghanistan and we emphasize the necessity of forming an inclusive government in the country because the Taliban is one part of the reality of Afghanistan, not all of it,” he said.

He also explained that Tehran has held talks with Afghan authorities regarding Iran’s share of water from the Hirmand River, saying Iran believes that the issue must be resolved according to the 1973 treaty.

“We have told Afghan authorities that the issue of [Iran’s] share of water cannot be resolved through a mere political statement and should be pursued within the framework of legal measures,” he added.

The Helmand Treaty signed between Iran and Afghanistan, dated February 20, 1973 has clearly and unambiguously specified the Iranian side’s water rights from the Helmand River, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported.

This is a legal, objective and definite right, and Afghanistan is committed to providing the aforementioned right and not taking any action, which fully or partly strips Iran of its water rights, under Article 5 of the Treaty, the source added.