Iran halts trade through Afghan border crossings amid Taliban incursions
Iran’s customs office IRICA has urged businesses not to send export shipments to two main border crossings with Afghanistan after reports showed that Taliban insurgents had occupied facilities on the other side of the border.
IRICA spokesman Rouhollah Latifi said in a statement on Thursday that trade had been halted through Dogharoun and Mahirood border crossings located along Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan.
Latifi said the closures were imposed after developments were reported on the opposite side of the border affecting the Afghan customs offices in Islam Qala and in Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi crossings.
The announcement came just after reports showed that Taliban forces had stormed customs offices in the two locations.
The Taliban has launched an all-out offensive since earlier this month to take control of many urban and rural districts across Afghanistan.
That has come after international forces led by the United States announced that they were withdrawing from Afghanistan some 20 years after they occupied the country to depose a Taliban government.
However, Afghan security sources said on Thursday that they would take back control of customs offices and other administrative buildings occupied by the Taliban in western provinces bordering Iran.
Local authorities in the province of Herat said the withdrawals against Taliban forces had been tactical, saying they will launch a fresh offensive to take back control of government premises in two cities that have been affected by Taliban incursions.
IRICA’s Latifi said that trade between Iran and Afghanistan was flowing normally through a third major border crossing in Milak in southeastern Iran.
Iran reports slight increase in mining sector exports in April-October
Immunity of Iran’s shipping industry to illegal sanctions
Iran parliament committee approves to lower car import tariffs
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant
Israeli strikes kill 88 Palestinians in northern Gaza
American voters plainly rejected complicity in Gaza genocide: Iran FM spox
ICC should issue more arrest warrants for Israeli authorities over Gaza genocide: UN expert
Israel using AI weapons co-produced by India in Gaza genocide: Report
Israel issues new evacuation orders, shortly launches strikes on southern Lebanon
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
From Iraq to Gaza: The great disconnect between British people and rulers
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
