Legitimacy of Taliban A Challenge For Iran, Says Tehran’s Commercial Attache in Kabul

Hossein Roustaei, the commercial attaché of Iran in Afghanistan, said that the issue of the legitimacy of the Taliban is one of the biggest challenges in Iran.

He did not explain more about the issue of legitimacy, but said that Afghanistan currently has a good opportunity to import goods from Iran.

During a meeting with the members of the private sector of Iran on Thursday, Roustaei announced an increase in the export of goods from Iran to Afghanistan.

According to him, in the first quarter of this year, Iran's exports to Afghanistan increased by two percent and reached 508 million dollars.

Roustaei added that last year, Iran exported goods worth about 1.7 billion dollars to Afghanistan.

The commercial attaché of Iran in Kabul explained that most of the imports in Afghanistan are related to food, agriculture, fuel, flour, wheat, sugar, edible oil, plastic products, eggs, vegetables, citrus fruits, ceramic tiles, medicine, medical equipment, and construction materials.

Roustaei quoted Taliban officials as saying that Iran is the biggest trade partner of the group.

He said that Afghanistan is the only country that imports more than 92% of its needs from neighbouring countries, especially Iran.

Although the Islamic Republic has not recognised the Taliban, it enjoys close ties with the group.