Iran Announces Expansion of Economic Cooperation with Taliban Administration
The Deputy Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kabul announced Tehran’s readiness to expand economic cooperation and develop transit infrastructure with the Taliban administration; a topic discussed during a meeting with the Taliban governor in Herat.
Seyed Hassan Mortazavi, Deputy Ambassador of Iran, along with Alireza Marhamati, the country’s Consul General in Herat, met with Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban governor of Herat. According to Mortazavi, Iran is prepared to cooperate with Afghanistan in the construction of rail, road, and customs infrastructure, with work already underway in these areas.
In this meeting, Mortazavi referred to regional developments, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and what he called the “repeated failures of the West,” claiming that these developments have created an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among Muslim countries. He also emphasized that Tehran seeks to develop economic relations with Afghanistan, especially within the framework of transit corridors.
Iran’s Consul General in Herat also stated that with the presence of Iranian doctors, heart surgery and dialysis centers have been established in the province, aiming to reduce the need for Afghan citizens to travel abroad for medical treatment. He also spoke of efforts to resolve certain customs issues at the Islam Qala border and to facilitate the transit of goods between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Taliban governor of Herat claimed that Afghanistan has entered a phase of “relative calm” after years of insecurity and that cooperation with regional countries can accelerate development. He mentioned the Taliban administration’s economic and corridor plans and welcomed cooperation with Iran.
Currently, projects such as the construction of the Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif railway line with Iranian cooperation are on the agenda of both sides; projects that, if realized, could impact transit and trade exchanges in western and northern Afghanistan.
