Taliban says commercial goods transit at Islam Qala border with Iran continues

Herat provincial officials stated that despite ongoing tensions and war in Iran, commercial transit between Afghanistan and Iran proceeds normally through the Islam Qala border, with up to 1,300 cargo trucks crossing daily.

Hazrat Zaem Agha, Taliban commissioner at Islam Qala, told the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar news agency that currently 600 cargo trucks enter Iran daily and about 700 return from Iran, with goods transfer continuing without issues. Mohammad Yusuf Saidi, spokesman for the Taliban governor in Herat, warned that merchants raising prices on the pretext of closed Iranian routes will face legal action. The Herat governor's media office reported average daily figures of 600 outgoing and 700 incoming trucks, noting annual trade volume between Afghanistan and Iran at around $4 billion, much of it via Islam Qala. RTA cited the office stating Islamic Emirate officials in Herat are strictly monitoring markets to prevent arbitrary price increases.

Iran previously banned exports of food and agricultural products until further notice. Iran's charge d'affaires in Kabul, Alireza Bikdeli, confirmed uninterrupted trade between the two countries.

However, some Herat residents told Afghanistan International that ongoing conflicts, including those involving Taliban and Pakistan as well as Iran with Israel and the United States, have driven up food prices in the city. Shopkeepers in Herat and Ghor reported to Amu TV significant increases in food, fuel, and cooking gas prices, with petrol rising from 60 to 70 afghanis per liter and liquid gas from 52-58 afghanis per kilo. Khanjan Elkuzi, a member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce board, confirmed to Amu TV that prices of basic food imports like rice have risen due to closed Pakistan routes and regional conflicts, particularly in Iran, Afghanistan's main trade path. He noted imports from Bangladesh would still route through Iranian ports like Chabahar, impacted by recent fighting, and warned of potential famine if Taliban pressure on merchants to sell cheaply continues amid these issues. Herat Chamber officials said they are seeking to expand trade ties with other countries to avert food shortages.