Analysis of Factors Affecting the Environmental Perception of Afghan Agents in Hydropolitical Relations with Iran

Authors
S. Anwari 1
M. kaviani Rad 2
Z. Aftabi 1
1 Political Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Political Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/psp.7.3.81
Abstract
Water, as the basis of creation and one of the most fundamental and irreplaceable human needs, is in critical condition in many parts of the world. Today, water has become a significant factor in international relations. In this context, Afghanistan holds an important position due to its control over key water resources (the Hirmand and Harirud Rivers) that flow into Iran. This research addresses the question: What factors influence the environmental perceptions of Afghan stakeholders regarding hydropolitical relations on the Hirmand and Harirud Rivers? Using an explanatory-analytical approach, the study draws on both library research and field methods, with particular attention to Afghan sources. The findings demonstrate that Afghan stakeholders' views on hydropolitical relations with Iran are shaped by four interconnected subsystems: natural-environmental, economic-technical, socio-cultural, and political-legal. Among these, the natural-environmental subsystem carries the greatest weight (0.438). Within each subsystem, specific factors were found to be most influential: drought (0.099) in the natural-environmental subsystem; agricultural development (0.079) in the economic-technical subsystem; the prestige of water resources among Afghans (0.197) in the socio-cultural subsystem; and the politicization of Afghanistan's hydropolitics (0.087) in the political-legal subsystem. These factors collectively shape Afghanistan's position in hydropolitical relations with Iran.

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Subjects

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Political Organizing of Space
Volume 7, Issue 3 - Serial Number 27
August 2025
Pages 119-149