Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has called on regional countries to maintain their support for Afghanistan, stressing that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan would benefit the entire region.

Speaking at a consultative meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, Japarov highlighted the importance of continued assistance to the Afghan people and stronger regional cooperation to address shared security challenges.

He emphasized the need to enhance cooperation among regional countries to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Japarov also underscored the importance of continued humanitarian assistance, urging regional countries to uphold their commitments to supporting Afghanistan.

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.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has accused the Pentagon of attempting to conceal the costs and damage associated with the war on Iran after he was denied access to US military facilities in the region.

Speaking to CNN, Murphy rejected officials’ explanation that the visit was blocked for security reasons, pointing to his previous visits to US military positions in Iraq and Afghanistan during active fighting.

“The reason was made up,” Murphy said, arguing that the decision was not about safety but a “cover-up.”

Murphy also said that US Defense Department officials in the region refused to brief him at the US embassy. However, he said the State Department allowed him to inspect damage to the diplomatic mission, which he described as extensive.

“The attack on the US embassy happened at night. Had it happened during the day, there would have been lots of Americans killed,” Murphy said.

The senator’s remarks have raised questions about transparency surrounding the financial costs and reported damage linked to the conflict.