Afghanistan and Iran have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, expand border infrastructure and improve customs operations during a meeting between their senior officials in Tehran.

According to a statement by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance, Minister of Finance Mohammad Nasir Akhund and his accompanying delegation met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs during an official visit to Iran.

The discussions focused on organizing the next meeting of the two countries’ Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, expanding border infrastructure at the Abu Nasr Farahi customs crossing and accelerating its reconstruction process.

Both sides also discussed operating customs facilities around the clock and speeding up efforts to increase the capacity of the Dogharoon, Mahirud and Milak border crossings.

According to the ministry, Araghchi praised Afghanistan’s efforts to combat narcotics and commended the Islamic Emirate’s role in promoting economic stability in the country.

The Iranian foreign minister also assured Afghanistan of Tehran’s full cooperation in economic and political affairs.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan and Iran seek to strengthen cross-border trade, improve transit facilities and expand bilateral economic relations.

The two-day meeting of foreign ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) began in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday, without the participation of a delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Representatives from the organization’s 10 member states are discussing ways to expand economic cooperation, boost regional trade and strengthen connectivity. Pakistan, which currently holds the organization’s rotating chairmanship, has identified stronger trade and transit relations among member states as a key priority.

Afghanistan’s absence comes despite its ECO membership and its strategic geographical position as a major transit corridor linking Central Asia with South Asia and the Middle East.

Central Asian countries can use Afghanistan’s territory to access Pakistani and Iranian ports, as well as wider regional markets, making the country an important part of regional trade and connectivity initiatives.

Economic analysts say political differences should not prevent member states from pursuing economic cooperation. They warn that excluding or sidelining Afghanistan from such regional meetings could undermine ECO’s economic and transit objectives.

ECO was established in 1985 by Iran, Türkiye and Pakistan. In 1992, the organization expanded with the admission of Afghanistan and six other countries, bringing its membership to 10 states.

The combined gross domestic product of ECO member countries is estimated at around $3 trillion.

Experts say that without Afghanistan’s active participation, regional connectivity projects may struggle to achieve their full economic and transit potential.

Turkish police have detained 35 Afghan migrants attempting to cross into Greece by sea in the northwestern province of Balikesir, while four suspects accused of migrant smuggling were also apprehended.

Police seized 12 life jackets, lifebuoys and three pumps during the operation.

Following police procedures, three of the four suspects were remanded in custody by a court, while the fourth was released under judicial supervision.

The 35 Afghan migrants were transferred to an Irregular Migrant Pre-Reception and Referral Center.