A Conceptual Model for Rethinking on Hirmand-Hamoon Conflict From the Perspective of Environmental Diplomacy

Less than 150 years ago, the entire Hirmand-Hamoon catchment area was located at the territory of Iran. However, following the separation of the province and the city of Herat from Iran, the sovereignty of the province was transferred to the newly established government of Afghanistan, and the Hirmand springs and watersheds became part of the government; An event that has split the river basin in two, resulting in serious disputes between residents on both sides of the border over the past century. Despite several long periods of negotiations over the past hundred years, the conflict between the two countries over the Hirmand River remains unresolved and has created a serious rift in consolidating and increasing the level of relations between them. The main question of the present article is that, from the perspective of environmental diplomacy, what solutions can be offered to solve these problems and thus increase the level of convergence with Afghanistan? To answer this question, first a conceptual model for the implementation of environmental diplomacy and transboundary water diplomacy is presented. Finally, based on the experiences of contemporary environmental diplomacy, 5 diplomatic axes and suggestions, including the drafting of a comprehensive agreement on the "Sistan Transboundary Bioregion" and four protocols, for peaceful conflict resolution of these disagreements are proposed. In this paper, we have used the the approach of green theory of international relations and conceptual-rational modeling method.