Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Vahid Jalalzadeh, met with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to Kabul, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations, improving consular services for citizens of both countries, and border cooperation.

According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi described relations between Afghanistan and Iran as steadily expanding and stressed that consular services should be made simpler, faster, and aligned with accepted standards.

Jalalzadeh also underscored the importance of consular coordination between the two countries and expressed hope that the ongoing talks with the Afghan side would help improve the handling of consular affairs and expand facilities for the citizens of both nations.

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate, Fasiuddin Fetrat, has rejected reports that Juma Khan Fateh has distanced himself from the government, describing claims of disagreements with the leadership as “media propaganda.”

Speaking on the issue, Fetrat said Fateh was unable to assume his appointment as deputy governor of Zabul province due to personal and family-related circumstances.

He said some media outlets had portrayed the situation as evidence of a dispute between Fateh and the Islamic Emirate, but insisted the reports were inaccurate.

Fetrat stressed that the matter was solely related to Fateh’s family circumstances and did not reflect any differences with the leadership.

He also dismissed reports claiming that security forces had been deployed to arrest Fateh, calling the allegations “false and far from reality.”

The comments come amid speculation in some media reports regarding Fateh’s status following his appointment as deputy governor of Zabul. The Islamic Emirate maintains that there has been no rift and that reports suggesting otherwise are unfounded.

Vahid Jalalzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and Iranians Abroad, has arrived in Kabul to attend the fifth meeting of the Joint Consular Commission between Iran and Afghanistan and hold talks with Afghan officials.

The meeting is expected to focus on consular cooperation, issues related to citizens of both countries, and ways to strengthen coordination between the relevant institutions.

Speaking about bilateral relations, Jalalzadeh said ties between Tehran and Kabul have seen “positive progress and a significant improvement” compared with last year.

He added that both countries are working to expand border terminals and improve facilities in order to strengthen economic relations and increase trade cooperation along the shared borders.