Tehran- IRAF- in line with developing economic and energy relations with its neighbors, Seyyed Ali Mousavi, Iran’s Deputy Minister for International Affairs and Trade, held two separate meetings with senior Taliban officials in the energy and transport sectors, highlighting Tehran’s full readiness for long-term cooperation and removal of existing obstacles.
In the first meeting, Mousavi met with Mohammad Nasir Rahimi, Executive Director of the Taliban’s state-owned Oil and Gas Company. During this session, Rahimi emphasized Iran’s strong capabilities in producing various petroleum products and fuels, calling for the establishment and expansion of strategic, long-term cooperation between the two countries in this critical sector.
Referring to Afghanistan’s special place in Iran’s neighborhood policy, Mousavi stated:
“The Islamic Republic of Iran imposes no limitations on supplying Afghanistan’s fuel needs.”
The deputy minister also announced Tehran’s full readiness to design and implement frameworks for long-term partnership and cooperation with Afghan counterparts.
Addressing Border Drivers’ Challenges
In another meeting aimed at facilitating bilateral trade, Mousavi met with Abdulsalam Haidari, Deputy Minister of Road Transport at the Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. Both sides focused on strengthening cooperation and finding fundamental solutions to problems and obstacles facing drivers in the joint road transport fleet.
Haidari highlighted that Iran is Afghanistan’s primary trading partner and requested special support to address fuel supply challenges for Afghan truck drivers. He also emphasized that facilitating fuel provision would significantly enhance trade dynamics between the two neighbors.
Mousavi, underscoring the key role of road transport in promoting commercial exchanges, confirmed Iran’s readiness to address and resolve issues faced by drivers on both sides, particularly regarding fuel. Both parties stressed their shared commitment to facilitating the movement of transport fleets, reducing border delays, and removing other existing obstacles.
Iran’s Commitment to Strengthening Trade and Energy Ties
Prior to these meetings, Seyyed Ali Mousavi also met with other Taliban officials, including Nureddin Azizi, acting Minister of Industry and Trade, and Seyyed Karim Hashemi, head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
During these discussions, Mousavi reiterated Iran’s readiness to strengthen trade relations and attract Iranian investment in Afghanistan’s oil, gas, and energy infrastructure sectors. The meetings also covered fuel exports, transit issues, and training Afghan specialists in the energy field.
