New Afghan dam sparks concern in Iran's Mashhad amid water crisis
Aug 20, 2025
Tehran [Iran], August 20: Tensions are brewing between Iran and Afghanistan after the Taliban government opened a new dam that could threaten the water supply to Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, at a time when the country is grappling with a worsening water crisis.
In an article published Tuesday, the Iranian state newspaper Jomhouri-e Eslami warned of a looming water shortage in the city, which is home to millions. Afghanistan's Taliban government is accused of hostility after it opened the Pashdan Dam on the Hari River near the western city of Herat.
The 1,000-kilometre Hari originates in Afghanistan, flows westward through Iran and comes to an end in Turkmenistan. The river is also dammed on the Iranian side near Mashhad. Iran is facing a severe water crisis as temperatures soar. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
