Economic Exchanges With Afghanistan Will Expand, Says Iranian Deputy FM

Rasool Mohajer, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, has expressed optimism about deepening economic ties with Afghanistan during a high-level visit to Farah province, following earlier meetings in Herat with senior Taliban officials and local business leaders.

The Iranian Embassy in Kabul confirmed the delegation’s arrival in Farah on Saturday, noting that discussions were held with the provincial governor and representatives from the private sector.

Speaking to reporters, Mohajer described the visit as “highly significant” and emphasised Iran’s commitment to enhancing cooperation between its South Khorasan province and Afghanistan’s Farah province.

“We encourage the private sector in South Khorasan to prepare for expanded cooperation, building on the excellent proposals shared during this visit,” he said. “This will lay a strong foundation for deeper economic and regional ties.”

The Iranian delegation included senior officials such as Mohammadreza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at the Foreign Ministry, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, and the Governor of South Khorasan. In Herat, the delegation toured the Herat Industrial Town, the Khaf-Herat railway project, and Roznak Station, while holding technical and economic discussions with Taliban officials.

During meetings in Farah, the two sides focused on expanding cross-border cooperation in infrastructure, energy transmission, railway connectivity, and trade. According to Bahrami, both parties reached joint decisions to bolster regional integration and economic collaboration.

The Iranian team also inspected an ongoing road construction project linking Farah to the Mahirood border crossing in South Khorasan. Once completed, the road is expected to enhance the capacity of the East-West trade corridor and improve Afghanistan’s access to Iranian and regional markets. Alireza Bikdeli, acting head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul, announced that the project is scheduled for completion in 2025-2026.

This visit highlights Tehran’s strategy to strengthen engagement with Afghanistan’s border provinces, even as the Taliban government remains unrecognised internationally. As part of this initiative, Iran plans to open a consulate in Farah, while the Taliban are expected to establish a diplomatic presence in Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan.

Bilateral trade between Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has surged in recent years. Iranian officials report that formal trade volumes have reached nearly $4 billion annually, reflecting a marked increase in economic and political coordination between the two countries.