page_title: Afghanistan–Iran relations
section_title: Diplomatic relations
hierarchical_section_title: Afghanistan–Iran relations / Diplomatic relations
caption_attribution_description: Map showing the Helmand River drainage basin.
context_page_description: Afghanistan–Iran relations were established in 1935 during King Zahir Shah's reign and the Shah of Iran Reza Shah Pahlavi, though ties between the two countries have existed for millennia. As a result, many Afghans speak Persian, while using Dari is one of the official languages of Afghanistan and many in Afghanistan also celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year. They have been negatively affected by the 1979 Iranian Revolution and issues related to the 1978–present Afghan conflicts, as well as Iran's water dispute and the growing influence of the United States in Afghanistan. In July 2019, the Iranian government passed a law that provides Afghan nationals with a new chance to get Iran's residency. Afghans with specific scientific and professional achievements and those who have Iranian spouses and children are among those who are qualified to benefit from the law.
context_section_description: Afghanistan signed a treaty of friendship with Iran in 1921, when the country was ruled by King Amanullah Khan and Iran was still under the Qajar dynasty. In September 1961 ties between two countries were broken off and resumed in May 1963. Prior to 1979, the year in which Iran underwent the Iranian Revolution and Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union, the issue of water rights of the Helmand River were an issue of great importance between the two nations. Disputes over the Helmand water occurred in the 1870s, flaring again after the river changed course in 1896. In 1939, the kings of the two countries signed an accord to share water rights, which was signed but never ratified. That was repeated in 1973 with a treaty between the prime ministers of both nations and again not ratified. According to a Reuters report, In 2018 Afghan forces accused Iran of presenting the Taliban with arms and money, but Iran denies the accusation.
  According to the Daily Pioneer, because of the ongoing agreement between Iran and Afghanistan, their relationship has yet to be manipulated by any third party and will remain so in the future. An increase in Taliban activity in the border between Iran and Afghanistan suggests a possible cooperation between the Iranian forces and the Talibans, according to DW.
caption: Map showing the Helmand River drainage basin.
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