Afghanistan, Iran Push to Expand Trade and Visa Cooperation

DID Press: Taliban officials and Iran’s Consulate General in Herat have discussed expanding bilateral trade, improving border logistics, accelerating railway cooperation, and facilitating visa issuance for Afghan citizens.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Herat provincial administration, Taliban-appointed Governor Noor Ahmad Islamjar met with Alireza Marhamati, Iran’s Consul General in Herat, to review measures aimed at strengthening economic and commercial cooperation.

The talks focused on speeding up cargo movement through the Islam Qala border crossing, advancing the Herat–Khaf railway project, increasing the capacity for commercial trucks at the border, and simplifying visa procedures for Afghan travelers.

Islamjar stressed the need to expand border facilities for freight transport and improve visa services, describing both measures as important steps toward boosting trade and facilitating legal cross-border travel.

For his part, Marhamati reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to deepening economic and commercial ties with Afghanistan, highlighting faster border cooperation, continued development of the Herat–Khaf railway, and efforts to ease visa procedures as key priorities in bilateral relations.

The two sides concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the economic, trade, transport, and transit sectors and to following up on the issues discussed.