Cases / Water use · Iran · 1973–2025
Hamoun wetlands, Helmand water and the EU/UNDP restoration project
Nature's voice · report
My wetlands covered 2,000–4,000 km² at spring flood and were nearly all gone by 2001, according to NASA citing UNEP.
Did nature suffer? Yes. Harm is on record. Disputed
Recorded
- About 70% of the water that normally reached me was diverted before the drought, and the lower Helmand's flow fell 98% in 2001, according to NASA citing UNEP. NASA Earth Observatory
- My reservoir capacity is 6–7 billion m³ and 1–2 billion m³ a year of inflow would keep me alive; after about 20 years of drought the reservoir is empty, and inflows fill one-third to one-quarter of the area, according to Taadol in 2021. Taadol newspaper
- Dust from my dry bed submerged up to 100 towns, according to NASA; Zabol had the highest annual PM2.5 (217) in the WHO's May 2016 survey of about 3,000 cities. NASA Earth Observatory
- Hundreds of thousands of livestock were lost and every fishery around me closed, according to NASA. NASA Earth Observatory
Accounts of the harm differ
What dried the Hamoun wetlands
- Researchers Hassan Partow, UNEP, cited by NASA (2003): About 70% of the water normally reaching the Hamoun was diverted before the drought; precipitation fell 78% in 2001; "It is difficult to single out with certainty a specific factor". NASA Earth Observatory
- Government and regulators Abolfazl Zohrehvand, Iranian MP (September 2024): After the Kamal Khan dam, spillover went to Gowd-e Zereh, cutting the floodwater that used to reach Iran; the Taliban announced a new large dam in Zabul. Radio Farda
- Government and regulators Taliban deputy prime minister and officials (2024): Dam building is a priority and harms no country; the water is only enough for Afghan needs. Radio Farda
- Government and regulators Department of Environment via Taadol (2021): Iran's own 820 million m³ appears allocated only to drinking water and agriculture, not to the wetland. Taadol newspaper
The Hamoun lakes on the Iran–Afghanistan border, fed by the Helmand river, were nearly gone by 2001, according to NASA. A 1973 treaty sets Iran's share of Helmand water, and sources give different volumes for it; an EU-funded, UNDP-implemented project of €10 million has run from 2020.
2,000–4,000 km²Wetland area at spring flood before the drought (NASA, citing UNEP)
NASA Earth Observatory (December 2003): nearly all of it was gone by 2001; lower Helmand flow fell 98% and precipitation fell 78% in 2001.
NASA Earth Observatory (December 2003): nearly all of it was gone by 2001; lower Helmand flow fell 98% and precipitation fell 78% in 2001.
Status As of June 2025: Zabol University of Medical Sciences reported depopulation and illness in Sistan; no arbitration or court case and no EU / UNDP results report on record.
What?
The Hamoun wetlands, fed by the Helmand river on the Iran–Afghanistan border, were nearly gone by 2001; a 1973 treaty sets Iran's Helmand share at volumes the sources give differently, an Afghan dam on the river was inaugurated in 2021, and an EU-funded €10 million restoration project has run since 2020. NASA Earth Observatory
Where?
Sistan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, and Nimroz province, Afghanistan; the Kamal Khan dam lies upstream in Afghanistan. NASA Earth Observatory
When?
Treaty in March 1973; drying by 2001; EU project from 4 April 2020; Kamal Khan dam inaugurated 24 March 2021; wetland dry in September 2024. Tehran Times
Who?
Gained
- Afghan irrigation (Kamal Khan dam) — Reservoir of 52 million m³ and irrigation of over 80,000 ha (Tasnim via Mashregh) Mashregh News
Lost
- EU — €10 million allocated to the restoration project Tehran Times
- Residents of Sistan — Over 50% of farmland out of production; only 3–5 households left in some villages (Shahdadi) Aftab News
Harmed
- Hamoun wetlands — 2,000–4,000 km² at spring flood nearly all gone by 2001 (NASA) NASA Earth Observatory
- Livestock and fisheries — Hundreds of thousands of livestock lost and every fishery closed (NASA) NASA Earth Observatory
- Zabol residents — Highest annual PM2.5 (217) in WHO's 2016 survey; over 1,500 treated in a few days in 2025 for eye, respiratory and heart symptoms Climate Action
Why?
NASA, citing UNEP, reported that about 70% of the water normally reaching the Hamoun was diverted before the drought and that precipitation fell 78% in 2001; Iranian officials point to Afghan dams; the Department of Environment says Iran's own share is allocated to drinking water and agriculture. NASA Earth Observatory
How?
Upstream diversion and drought cut the Helmand's flow to the Hamoun; the EU / UNDP project funds dust control, dredging, livelihood changes and ecological work. Taadol newspaper
6 of 6 questions answered from the record
What happened
The record, in order.
The Hamoun lakes lie on the Iran–Afghanistan border in Sistan and are fed by the Helmand (Hirmand) river. NASA Earth Observatory reported on 13 December 2003, citing UNEP's Hassan Partow, that the wetlands covered 2,000–4,000 km² at spring flood and were nearly all gone by 2001; that about 70% of the water that normally reached the Hamoun had been diverted before the drought; that precipitation fell 78% in 2001 and lower Helmand flow fell 98%; that dust "submerged" up to 100 towns; and that hundreds of thousands of livestock were lost and every fishery closed. Partow said: "It is difficult to single out with certainty a specific factor responsible for the sharp drop in water levels."
The Helmand River Water Treaty was signed in March 1973. Sources differ on what it grants Iran: 22 m³/s in a normal water year under Article V (Iran International), 24 m³/s (Mashregh, citing Tasnim), 850 million m³ a year (AP via Arab News; a Massey University opinion piece by Hassan Partow and Dadpour) or 820 million m³ a year (the Department of Environment via Taadol; Iranian officials via Radio Farda). A Massey University opinion piece of June 2023 said the treaty's Joint Technical Committee had not been established. The Department of Environment said in 2021 that Iran's 820 million m³ appeared to be allocated only to drinking water and agriculture, not to the wetland.
On 24 March 2021 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the Kamal Khan dam. Tasnim, via Mashregh, reported a reservoir of 52 million m³, irrigation of over 80,000 ha (other sources give 174,000–180,000 ha) and over 9 MW, and that when the dam overflowed in January 2022 the water was diverted to Gowd-e Zereh behind an earthen dike. In September 2024 Iranian MP Abolfazl Zohrehvand said the spillover had cut the floodwater that used to reach Iran, and that the Taliban had announced a new large dam in Zabul and said the Pashdan dam in Herat was nearing completion. Iranian officials said Hamoun inflow was zero in September 2024. Taliban officials said dam building harmed no country and that the water was only enough for Afghan needs.
The Department of Environment (DoE) and UNDP sought EU funding on 18 September 2019. A DoE–UNDP memorandum of 4 April 2020 set up a project funded by the EU with €10 million over five years, implemented by UNDP with the DoE as national executing agency. According to DoE Director General for Wetlands Masoud Bagherzadeh Karimi (Taadol, 1 March 2021), its components are water and soil management (dust control, dredging), reorganising livelihoods so residents depend less on basin water, and ecological work. Taadol also reported that the Hamoun reservoir's capacity is 6–7 billion m³, that 1–2 billion m³ a year of inflow would keep it alive, and that after about 20 years of drought the reservoir is empty, with inflows filling one-third to one-quarter of the area.
Aftab, citing Tasnim, reported on 8 June 2025 remarks by Zabol University of Medical Sciences president Hossein Shahdadi: a sharp fall in births and population, only 3–5 households remaining in some villages, official statistics showing over 50% of Sistan's farmland out of production, and over 1,500 people treated in a few days for eye, respiratory and heart symptoms. No arbitration or court case over the Helmand water has been reported.
- 1973Helmand River Water Treaty signed (March)
- 2001Lower Helmand runs dry at the border; precipitation down 78% and lower Helmand flow down 98%
- 2019DoE and UNDP seek EU funding (18 September)
- 2020DoE–UNDP memorandum for the €10 million EU-funded project (4 April)
- 2021Ghani inaugurates the Kamal Khan dam (24 March)
- 2022Kamal Khan dam overflows; water diverted to Gowd-e Zereh (January)
- 2023Border exchange of gunfire between Iranian and Taliban forces (27 May)
- 2024Hamoun dry; Iranian officials say inflow zero (September)
- 2025Zabol University of Medical Sciences president describes depopulation and illness in Sistan (June)
What was said
Claims, in the words of those who made them.
“It is difficult to single out with certainty a specific factor responsible for the sharp drop in water levels.”
“If you give us oil you can then ask for [more] water, or give us something in return.”
“The implementation of the project requires the coordination and participation of all stakeholders and departments.”
“Until now we have not paid due attention to these issues”
“it's unfair to compare or give a rank”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
How much Helmand water the 1973 treaty gives Iran
Press and investigations
Iran International (2021)
Article V entitles Iran to 22 m³/s in a normal water year.
Iran InternationalPress and investigations
AP via Arab News (May 2023) and Massey University opinion (June 2023)
850 million m³ a year.
Arab News (AP)Government and regulators
Department of Environment via Taadol (2021); Iranian officials via Radio Farda (2024)
820 million m³ a year.
Taadol newspaperWhat dried the Hamoun wetlands
Researchers
Hassan Partow, UNEP, cited by NASA (2003)
About 70% of the water normally reaching the Hamoun was diverted before the drought; precipitation fell 78% in 2001; "It is difficult to single out with certainty a specific factor".
NASA Earth ObservatoryGovernment and regulators
Abolfazl Zohrehvand, Iranian MP (September 2024)
After the Kamal Khan dam, spillover went to Gowd-e Zereh, cutting the floodwater that used to reach Iran; the Taliban announced a new large dam in Zabul.
Radio FardaGovernment and regulators
Taliban deputy prime minister and officials (2024)
Dam building is a priority and harms no country; the water is only enough for Afghan needs.
Radio FardaGovernment and regulators
Department of Environment via Taadol (2021)
Iran's own 820 million m³ appears allocated only to drinking water and agriculture, not to the wetland.
Taadol newspaperHow it looked
What was shown, beside what was recorded.
Shown
- Afghanistan remains committed to the treaty; "anything beyond the stipulated quota" needs discussionAshraf Ghani, Afghan President, 2021 · Iran International
- Dam building is a priority and harms no country; the water is only enough for Afghan needsTaliban deputy prime minister and Taliban officials, 2024 · Radio Farda
- The project covers dust control and dredging, reorganised livelihoods and ecological workMasoud Bagherzadeh Karimi, DoE Director General for Wetlands, March 2021 · Taadol newspaper
- Dialogue is the reasonable wayEnayatullah Khawarazmi, Taliban Defence Ministry spokesman, after the 27 May 2023 clash · Arab News (AP)
Recorded
- Wetlands covered 2,000–4,000 km² at spring flood and were nearly all gone by 2001; about 70% of the water normally reaching the Hamoun was diverted before the drought (NASA, citing UNEP)
- NASA stated that Sistan hosted an estimated 320,000 Afghan refugees, which makes it hard to separate environmental from war displacement
- Zabol had the highest annual PM2.5 (217) in the World Health Organization's May 2016 survey of about 3,000 cities
- Over 50% of Sistan's farmland out of production (official statistics, per Hossein Shahdadi); unofficial local figures: six of ten households in one village have left
- No wetland water allocation within Iran's share of the Helmand water; Iran's 820 million m³ appears allocated only to drinking water and agriculture (DoE via Taadol, 2021)
- The treaty's Joint Technical Committee has not been established (Massey University opinion, June 2023)
Who gained
Money that reached nature, beside money that stayed elsewhere.
Reached nature or the ground
Not published
EU funding for the Hamoun restoration project (implemented by UNDP with the Department of Environment)€10m
Allocated amount; disbursement is not on record.
Gained elsewhere
Not totalled
Currency: EUR · Window: 2020–2025. All figures cover the same period. * Estimate built from cited figures.
Responses on record
- iran-doe (2021): Iran's 820 million m³ of Helmand water appears allocated only to drinking water and agriculture, not to the wetland. · Taadol newspaper
- taliban-government (2024): Dam building is a priority and harms no country; the water is only enough for Afghan needs (deputy prime minister and officials). · Radio Farda
- taliban-government (27 May 2023): Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said Iran fired first and two people were killed, one from each country; Defence Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khawarazmi said dialogue is the reasonable way. · Arab News (AP)
- government-of-iran (27 May 2023): Police chief Gen. Ahmadreza Radan said border forces "will decisively respond" to aggression; IRNA reported two border guards killed. · Arab News (AP)
In court and with insurers
Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.
Lawsuits and rulings
No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.
Insurers
No insurer decision on record.
What nature saw
Outcomes measured on the ground, and nature's note.
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
Wetland area at spring flood
2,000–4,000 km²
Nearly all gone by 2001 (NASA, citing UNEP)
Lower Helmand flow, 2001
−98%
Precipitation fell 78% in the same year
EU / UNDP project
€10 million
Five years from 2020; results report not on record
Sistan farmland out of production
over 50%
Official statistics cited by Zabol University of Medical Sciences president, June 2025
What we don't know
Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
Nature
- Disputed What dried the Hamoun wetlands
Court
- None on record No court case on record.
Accounts
- Disputed How much Helmand water the 1973 treaty gives Iran
Record
- None on record None on record: arbitration or a court case over the Helmand water.
- None on record None on record: an evaluation or results report of the EU / UNDP project.
- None on record None on record: a published cost figure for the Kamal Khan dam.
- Disputed Figures differ: Iran's treaty entitlement is given as 22 m³/s (Iran International), 24 m³/s (Mashregh), 850 million m³ a year (AP, Massey University) and 820 million m³ a year (Department of Environment, Radio Farda).
- Disputed Figures differ: the Kamal Khan dam irrigates over 80,000 ha (Tasnim via Mashregh) or 174,000–180,000 ha (other sources).
- Disputed Figures differ: sources date the cut in Helmand flow from the Kajaki dam to 1998 and to 1999.
- Disputed Disputed: the cause of the drying (see disputes).
Did the harm stop?
The wetlands were dry in September 2024, with Iranian officials reporting zero inflow; the EU / UNDP project had run from 2020 and no results report is on record.
Who paid?
The wetlands and the people of Sistan, who face dust, lost farmland and depopulation. The EU funded a €10 million restoration project; the cost of the upstream Kamal Khan dam is not on record.
Sources
Voices on record: — Company or project✓ Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society✓ Researchers
Government and regulators
- From Wetland to Wasteland: The Destruction of the Hamoun OasisNASA Earth Observatory · 2003-12-13
Press and investigations
- EU, UNDP allocate €10m to revive Iran's Hamoun wetlandTehran Times · 2020-04-20
- Restoring Hamoun with EU funds (Persian)Hamshahri Online · 2019-09-18
- Will the €10 million credit save Hamoun? (Persian)Taadol newspaper · 2021-03-01
- Afghan President suggests Iran exchanges oil for Helmand waterIran International · 2021-03-25
- Iran exchanges heavy gunfire with Taliban on Afghan borderArab News (AP) · 2023-05-27
- Hamoun water right depends on talks with the Taliban (Persian; via Tasnim)Mashregh News · 2022-01-10
- Security committee member: the Taliban plan to block floodwater too (Persian)Radio Farda · 2024-09-12
- Demographic collapse in Sistan (Persian; via Tasnim)Aftab News · 2025-06-08
- World's most polluted cities announced by WHOClimate Action · 2016-05-12
Researchers
- Opinion: Discord between Iran and Afghanistan over the Helmand RiverMassey University (Partow, Dadpour) · 2023-06-08
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- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Funds reserve management (PAPBIO programme)
- Trade rules curb green industrial policy; WTO rules against Indonesia nickel ban Global · 2013–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Complainant in the Indonesia nickel case; respondent in the palm oil and CBAM disputes
- Ukraine's ban on raw-log exports and the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement arbitration, 2015–2026 Ukraine · 2015–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Complainant in the arbitration
- Ukraine's mine contamination, the farmland demining programme and mine-action money Ukraine · 2022–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Mobilised over EUR 360 million for demining since 2022 (EEAS)
- UN Compensation Commission "F4" environmental claims by Iran for the 1990–91 Gulf War Iran · 1990–2013
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Party to the 1973 Helmand treaty; there: Claimant
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Trade partner (trade preference)
- Venezuela 2026 twin earthquakes insurance gap Venezuela · 2026
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implementer of the EU-funded project; there: Source of the $6.7 billion damage estimate
- Venezuela tree cover loss, 2001–2024, and international forest finance Venezuela · 2001–2024
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implementer of the EU-funded project; there: Agency for GEF projects 3609 and 3865 and GCF readiness
- Wadi El Ku catchment project, North Darfur Sudan · 2013–2026
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Funder, EUR 6.45 million for phase 1
- World Bank and development bank accountability mechanisms: Embobut (Sengwer), Tata Mundra, Arun III, Jale, Cambodia Kenya · 2007–2024
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Funder of the WaTER programme
- WTO panel backs EU on palm biofuel rules in Malaysia case Global · 2025
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Respondent; set the renewable-status rules
- WTO panel found Indonesia's raw nickel export ban breached rules Indonesia · 2020–2022
- European Union (International organisation) — here: Funder of the €10 million restoration project; there: Brought the complaint at the WTO
- WWF-funded ranger units accused of torture and killings in Asia and Africa Multiple countries · 2006–2023
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implementer of the EU-funded project; there: Investigation into the Messok Dja park programme (leaked draft)