Afghanistan and Iran discussed expanding economic, political and trade ties, with Tehran offering to cooperate on major infrastructure and development projects, including the construction of the Herat-Mazar-e-Sharif railway.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry said its Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration, Mohammad Naeem, met with Hamid Qanbari, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and ways to make better use of existing opportunities.

The two sides also discussed challenges facing Afghan migrants in Iran and ways to facilitate visa procedures, as well as closer cooperation on migration-related issues.

According to the ministry, Qanbari said Iran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in the construction of the Herat-Mazar-e-Sharif railway, mining and electricity generation.

Naeem described the expansion of economic relations between the two countries as important and stressed the need for joint efforts and cooperation in this area.

Iran’s Embassy in Kabul also said the two officials discussed expanding economic and trade cooperation, particularly in developing and strengthening infrastructure, including the Herat-Mazar-e-Sharif railway.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Monday rejected arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against four senior IEA leaders, saying Afghanistan does not recognize the court or its decisions.

The ICC unsealed arrest warrants for IEA supreme leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, head of Afghanistan’s Supreme Court Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Education Minister Habibullah Agha and Higher Education Minister Neda Mohammad Nadim.

The court accused the four officials of persecution on gender grounds against women, girls.

IEA government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the ICC’s decision, saying Afghanistan does not recognize any court operating under the title of the “International Court.”

“Afghanistan does not recognize any court under the title of the ‘International Court,’ nor does it attach any significance to its positions,” Mujahid said in a statement.

“Thankfully, the leaders of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have committed no act that would make them liable to arrest or punishment by any court,” he said.

“We are bound by the rulings of Islamic Sharia and its courts, not by intelligence entities or so-called courts,” Mujahid added.

The ICC said the warrants against Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada and Haqqani were issued in July and September last year, while the warrants against Agha and Nadim were also issued last year.

The existence of the warrants against Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada and Haqqani had been disclosed previously, but the documents remained sealed until Monday.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo concluded her visit to Afghanistan on Sunday after holding meetings with the Islamic Emirate authorities, civil society representatives, women leaders and Afghan female UN personnel.

During meetings with the IEA, DiCarlo reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to advancing the Doha process and noted progress made by its two working groups on counter-narcotics and the private sector.

She stressed the importance of turning dialogue into practical results for the Afghan people, while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement.

DiCarlo also conveyed concerns raised by UN member states over the situation of women and girls, particularly restrictions on girls’ access to education.

She said progress on women’s and girls’ rights would contribute to Afghanistan’s development and also raised concerns over restrictions affecting Afghan female UN personnel.

The UN official highlighted the challenges facing Afghanistan, including economic and social pressures, climate change and natural disasters.

She also reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to support Afghans returning from neighboring countries.

During meetings with civil society representatives and women leaders, DiCarlo recognized their important contributions to communities across Afghanistan.