Iranian Minister Claims Borders With Afghanistan Are ‘Calm’

Iran’s interior minister claims the borders with Afghanistan are calm and traffic is normal after recent clashes between the Taliban.

“We warned the Afghan rulers that they should train their forces and be watchful of their acts, otherwise Iran's border guards defend national interests and do not allow anyone to violate the security of borders,” said Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday.

In the past days, there were some issues, but they were dealt with forcefully to maintain security at the borders, said Vahidi who is an ex-IRGC general, wanted by Interpol for his role in the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994.

“Of course, terrorists try to abuse the tensions at borders, but they should be aware that they will be punished for their actions.”

In late May, clashes at the border over water rights claimed the lives of at least two Iranians and one Taliban soldier.

Disputes between Tehran and Kabul have risen over Taliban’s refusal to share the waters of the Helmand River in violation of a 1973 treaty.

Iran's parched eastern regions is seriously threatened if the Taliban prevent water from reaching Iran. Another Iranian official said Saturday that Kabul has agreed to allow Iranian experts examine the water reservoirs inside Afghanistan.

Earlier in May, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned the Taliban over disregarding Iran's water rights under the 1973 treaty. The Taliban rejected Raisi's apparent threat, with a former Taliban official mocking Raisi in a video that went viral.