Taliban and Iran Reach Agreement on Repatriation of Prisoners
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, has announced that an Iranian delegation visiting Kabul has reached an agreement with Taliban authorities for the repatriation of Iranian prisoners held in Afghanistan.
According to Gharibabadi, the memorandum of understanding was finalized during the official visit and in meetings with senior Taliban officials, including the Minister of Borders, the Head of the Order Enforcement Directorate, the Deputy Minister of Water and Energy, and the First Deputy Foreign Minister.
Gharibabadi emphasized that, in addition to prisoner-related issues, the discussions also covered key topics such as border disputes, water resources, and legal-judicial matters. He added that both sides had agreed to resume a border marker renovation project, which had been halted for the past seven years.
The Iranian deputy minister also reported that both parties agreed to convene a joint technical and legal committee, aimed at resolving border ambiguities and disputes.
Regarding water resources, Gharibabadi stated that Iran is seeking full implementation of the 1973 Helmand River Treaty to secure its water rights from the Helmand River. He also stressed the need to secure environmental water rights for the Hamoun wetlands and to establish a clear legal framework for water use from the Harirud River.
Security aspects of the border were also discussed, with both sides pledging enhanced cooperation to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling, and the cross-border movement of extremist groups.
These talks come amid growing criticism of the Taliban administration over its mismanagement of water resources, disregard for the rights of neighboring countries, and tightening control over the judiciary.
