Iran-Afghanistan Trade Unaffected by Political Developments: Deputy FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – There has been no interruption to the trade exchanges between Iran and Afghanistan despite the flareup of tensions in the latter, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said.
In remarks on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Rasoul Mohajer said the recent developments in Afghanistan have not had any effect on the economic interaction with the neighboring country.
“In spite of the tensions in Afghanistan, all (Iranian) ministries have been encouraged to carry on the interactions according to the policies. There has been no change in the economic relations between Iran and Afghanistan, at least until today, and the exchanges are in progress via the borders,” he added.
The deputy minister noted that the value of trade exchanges between the two countries stands at above $3 billion, saying the trade interactions have been stable because of the popularity of Iranian commodities in Afghanistan and the unique opportunities available in the Afghan market.
Iran’s trade exchanges with Afghanistan are almost entirely handled by the private sector, Mohajer added.
The security situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating in recent months as the Taliban have been overrunning many districts in rapid succession.
The Kabul government has launched a “national mobilization” in response, arming local volunteers and resurrecting militia groups to take on the Taliban.
Iranian officials maintain that the crisis in Afghanistan requires a political and negotiated solution, and that the peace process should include all Afghan groups without any foreign interference.