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Afghanistan, Iran seek to expand trade and transit through western border crossings
The Herat governor called for greater attention to expanding trade and transit through Herat, Farah and Nimroz provinces.
Herat Governor Maulana Islam Jar has met with an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, to discuss expanding bilateral trade, strengthening economic ties and facilitating cross-border transit.
According to a statement from the Herat Governor’s Press Office, the meeting was also attended by Farah Governor Mohammad Hafiz Mujahid and Nimroz Governor Abdul Manan Mahmoud.
Officials from both countries discussed ways to increase commercial exchanges and improve the use of western border crossings to facilitate the movement of goods between Afghanistan and Iran.
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Islam Jar said Afghanistan had made progress in the economic, industrial and commercial sectors, while major infrastructure projects were also underway.
He also highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking, saying progress had been made in this area.
The Herat governor called for greater attention to expanding trade and transit through Herat, Farah and Nimroz provinces, stressing that increased commercial activity could benefit both countries.
According to the statement, Islam Jar said the Islam Qala, Abu Nasr Farahi and Nimroz border crossings were ready to operate around the clock to facilitate trade and transit.
Meanwhile, Zanganeh thanked the Afghan people for their hospitality and said Afghanistan had made considerable progress over the past five years.
He expressed support for expanding trade and transit cooperation and increasing the movement of goods through the three western border crossings, pledging to work towards advancing these objectives.
The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Afghanistan and Iran to strengthen economic cooperation, improve cross-border transportation and expand regional trade connectivity.
Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the Islamic Emirate’s Minister of Energy and Water, departed for Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday to attend the 17th World Energy Forum.
Ministerial-level representatives from around 100 countries are expected to participate in the forum to discuss energy cooperation, opportunities, and the exchange of experiences.
The Ministry of Water and Energy said Afghanistan’s participation in the forum provides an opportunity to strengthen relations with countries around the world, exchange expertise, and attract international cooperation in the energy sector.
The US Department of State has placed Afghanistan in Tier 3 in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, citing concerns over forced labor, child exploitation and inadequate protection for trafficking victims.
The report says Afghanistan has failed to fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking and has not made significant efforts to do so.
It also highlights the vulnerability of families, particularly children, to trafficking and exploitation amid poverty, economic hardship and the return of migrants from neighboring countries.
Afghanistan continues to face economic challenges and growing humanitarian needs, while large numbers of Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries. Experts say raising public awareness, creating job opportunities and providing support to vulnerable families are essential to preventing human trafficking and child exploitation.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate has previously issued a decree declaring human trafficking contrary to Islamic Sharia and called for action against the practice. Officials have also said the rights of Afghans are protected in accordance with Islamic Sharia and Afghan traditions.
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Iranian lawmaker praises Afghanistan’s support, accuses Pakistan of ‘hypocrisy’
Zanganeh claimed that a post published under the name of Pakistan’s parliamentary speaker during negotiations between Tehran and Washington had been written by Americans.
Mohsen Zanganeh, head of the Iranian Parliament’s Economic Commission, has praised Afghanistan’s support for Iran during the conflict between Iran and the United States, while criticizing Pakistan’s conduct during the crisis.
Zanganeh claimed that a post published under the name of Pakistan’s parliamentary speaker during negotiations between Tehran and Washington had been written by Americans. According to the Iranian lawmaker, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was responsible for drafting the post.
He described Pakistan’s alleged conduct as “hypocrisy” and expressed appreciation for the friendship and support shown by Afghans towards Iran.
Zanganeh’s remarks highlight the differing political perspectives emerging in the region as neighbouring countries respond to developments involving Iran and the United States.
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