River that connects us
Water diplomacy in full force during Pezeshkian’s Iraq visit
On the eve of Iranian president’s visit to Iraq, Foreign Minister Abass Araghchi highlighted the significance of the neighboring country as the first destination of Masoud Pezeshkian’s official trip, saying that Tehran aims to activate “water diplomacy” with Baghdad.
In an interview with Iraq’s Al-Forat TV network on Tuesday, Araghchi said Iran suffers from drought, and his country wants to activate water diplomacy and turn it from a subject of dispute to a subject of cooperation.
The foreign minister went on to address the relations between Iraq and Turkey and their border disputes, saying, “The differences between Baghdad and Ankara over water, in terms of quantity and quality, are different from the differences between Tehran and Baghdad.”
“Because Iran is the source of less than seven percent of the water that enters Iraq. Iran also suffers from drought, and we want to activate water diplomacy and turn it from a subject of dispute to a subject of cooperation,” he added.
The control of the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by Turkey has been a source of tension with Iraq, as these rivers are vital for Iraq’s agriculture and drinking water supply. Turkey’s dam construction and hydroelectric projects have reduced water flow downstream to Iraq, leading to accusations of water theft and exacerbating water scarcity concerns. However, a landmark 10-year agreement signed in April between the two countries aims to address this issue by ensuring a fair share of water resources for Iraq.
Under this new agreement, Iraq will receive priority in its share of water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Turkey will also assist Iraq in introducing modern irrigation techniques and optimizing water use in agriculture.
Iraq is highly dependent on water resources originating beyond its borders. Like the Diyala, which begins in Zagros mountains in western Iran — where it is called the Sirvan — and runs along the border between the two countries before crossing into Iraq to join the Tigris in Baghdad.
Araghchi touched on various issues, including the agenda and importance of Pezeshkian’s visit to Baghdad, the security agreement between the two neighboring countries, and the expulsion of the US occupation forces from Iraq.
“Iraq is more than just a neighboring country for Iran; Iraq is our friend and brother, and we have a lot in common,” he said.
The foreign minister also said that the countries are on the right track when it comes to securing their borders and countering saboteur groups.
According to a report on Monday, all terrorists affiliated with the anti-Iran Komala separatist group have been forced to relocate from their previous camps in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region under a security agreement between Tehran and Baghdad.
Tasnim quoted an unnamed source as saying that security forces from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) entered the Zrgwez bases, where the three Komala branches were based, a few days ago and transported all its residents to a new camp in Surdash area by truck. Araghchi added, “Security and stability in Iraq mean security and stability for Iran, and our common enemy is the Zionist regime.”
Araghchi emphasized that the fact that the president chose Iraq as the first country to visit shows the depth of the relationship between the two countries.