Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, as a major economic opportunity for Iran as the country continues to face international sanctions.

Speaking at a meeting with tourism and handicrafts investors in Razavi Khorasan province, Araghchi said neighboring states represent Iran’s “greatest opportunity” for expanding foreign policy and economic cooperation.

He highlighted the potential for health tourism between Iran and Afghanistan, saying the Foreign Ministry faces no obstacle to issuing visas to Afghan nationals and is ready to facilitate the process for genuine applicants, particularly those seeking medical treatment.

Araghchi said dedicated systems and procedures should be developed for health tourism to make it easier for eligible Afghan visitors to enter Iran, adding that the Foreign Ministry is prepared to cooperate with relevant authorities.

He also called for greater powers for provincial governments to address economic and cross-border issues, saying Iran’s president supports strengthening local decision-making to resolve problems more quickly.

Referring to Iran’s experience with “provincial diplomacy,” Araghchi said many issues with neighboring countries, particularly those involving border regions, could be addressed more efficiently through local authorities.

He cited the Iran-Afghanistan border as an example, saying a problem between Razavi Khorasan and Afghanistan could potentially be resolved more quickly through officials on both sides rather than being referred to Tehran and Kabul for negotiations.

Pakistan has allowed 724 truckloads of humanitarian aid to enter Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing, providing a vital lifeline to vulnerable families amid a prolonged closure and worsening humanitarian needs.

Mohamed Yahya, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, said the 724 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies had crossed into Afghanistan and reached families most in need.

“Deeply grateful to the Government of Pakistan and all those who made it possible to keep the humanitarian lifeline open. Together, we delivered,” Yahya said in a post on X.

Pakistan has kept its crossings with Afghanistan closed to regular trade since October 2025 following deadly clashes and escalating security tensions. The closure also disrupted the movement of Afghan transit goods through Karachi.

The prolonged shutdown, combined with insecurity and worsening economic conditions, has displaced tens of thousands of Afghans. The United Nations and other humanitarian agencies have continued efforts to deliver life-saving food and other assistance to displaced and vulnerable families.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the humanitarian operation, saying he was “glad to have facilitated this important humanitarian effort by the United Nations” and to have ensured assistance for people in need in Afghanistan.

The latest aid delivery comes amid continued tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following ongoing militant attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to operate from its territory, allegations denied by Kabul.

The security tensions have contributed to repeated clashes and the continued closure of the crossing to regular commercial activity.

Despite the broader tensions, Pakistan has continued to facilitate the movement of humanitarian assistance. Earlier last month, authorities allowed 21 of 26 vehicles carrying World Food Programme aid to cross into Afghanistan through Torkham.

The passage of 724 relief trucks represents a significant humanitarian corridor, allowing international agencies to deliver essential assistance to vulnerable Afghan families despite the prolonged suspension of normal trade and continuing security tensions between the two countries.