Afghanistan and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional dialogue during a phone call between their foreign ministers.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described bilateral cooperation as positive and steadily progressing, welcoming increased trade and expanding collaboration across multiple sectors.

Muttaqi also underscored the importance of diplomacy, calling ongoing engagement between Iran and the United States a constructive development, and stressing that outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for his part, praised the continued growth of ties between Tehran and Kabul and expressed support for further expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

He also briefed his Afghan counterpart on the latest developments in talks between Iran and the United States.

Officials say the exchange reflects a shared interest in sustaining dialogue, deepening economic links, and promoting greater stability across the region.

Pakistani authorities have escalated raids, detentions and forced returns of Afghan refugees following renewed border clashes with Afghanistan, according to Human Rights Watch.

The group said police operations in several cities have included door-to-door searches, late-night raids and arrests without warrants. Afghans with valid visas have reportedly been detained alongside undocumented migrants, many of whom lack paperwork after Pakistan stopped renewing refugee registration documents in 2023.

More than 146,000 Afghans have been deported from Pakistan in 2026 alone, with numbers rising in April. Detainees are typically transferred to holding centres before being expelled.

Refugees interviewed by the group described arrests during everyday activities, confiscation of money and phones, and demands for bribes. Fear of detention has also prevented many from seeking medical care or sending children to school.

Human Rights Watch also reported cases of family separations and children being deported alone. Some returnees have ended up in overcrowded border camps in Afghanistan with limited access to food, shelter and healthcare.

The crackdown follows escalating violence along the disputed Durand Line frontier with Pakistan since late 2025. Rights groups say the forced returns may violate international law, including the prohibition on sending people back to countries where they risk persecution or harm.