STUDY AND ROLE OF ZAB, SIRVAN AND ALVAND RIVERS IN HYDROPOLITICS OF WESTERN IRAN BASINS

Abstract

Population growth and water scarcity, and the common interests of governments over water, such as rivers, have made water a decisive factor in government policy. Today, water has entered the field of relations and disputes between governments as a competitive and desirable material, which is why water resources (such as rivers) are often considered as a security problem at the national and international level. ; Because in many countries, water resources management has created fierce competition for dominance and control of transnational water resources, Iran's future is geographically in the dry land belt. Due to its topographic features, Iran loses about 8 billion cubic meters of water annually due to the flow of several rivers to Iraq. Therefore, we are obliged to exploit this great natural wealth. However, we must remember that the use of these resources will have internal and external hydro-political consequences. The first and most important consequence will affect Iran-Iraq relations. Due to geopolitical issues, relations between the two countries have been turbulent in recent decades. However, it seems that the Iran-Iraq relationship could be affected by the water issue. Due to Turkey's activities in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Iraq is currently facing problems. Therefore, Iraqis may react to Iran's water transfer projects in the small Zab, Alvand and Sirvan basins and resort to deterrent measures. At the same time, these basins are mostly located in Kurdish areas, which are mostly Sunni, and any activity in these basins can provoke the Kurds in the region. The present study uses a descriptive-analytical method to evaluate the hydro-political nature of these basins and their political consequences. At the same time, the present study seeks to provide appropriate approaches to reduce the political and social costs of implementing these projects.