Iran and the Taliban plan to establish consulates in Farah and Birjand to boost trade and economic ties, according to Mohammad Reza Hashemi, Governor of South Khorasan, as reported by IRNA.
Hashemi stated that these consulates could pave the way for enhanced cooperation across various sectors.
He noted that, under directives from Iran’s President and Interior Ministry, border provinces have been granted greater authority to strengthen economic relations with neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan under Taliban control.
Hashemi highlighted South Khorasan’s strategic advantage, sharing Iran’s longest border with Afghanistan and hosting four border markets. He said, “South Khorasan, with its extensive border and four markets, holds immense potential for expanding trade with Afghanistan.” He added that approximately 95 percent of the province’s exports go to Afghanistan, making the border a key economic asset.
Looking ahead to 2025, Hashemi outlined plans to reopen and activate the Yazdān, Mil 73, and Dukuhana border markets. To address traders’ challenges, he announced initiatives including meetings with Taliban officials, joint cooperation committees with Farah province, completion of the Mil 78 transit route, exhibitions to showcase collaboration opportunities, and efforts to establish a joint Iran-Afghanistan chamber of commerce. He also prioritised increasing staffing and extending border operations to 24 hours to facilitate trade.
Iran currently operates consulates in Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. The planned Farah consulate comes amid earlier concerns from Iranian sources about the presence of anti-Iran militants, notably Jaish al-Adl, in the border provinces of Farah and Nimroz. Some Iranian journalists have claimed that individuals linked to Jaish al-Adl hold government positions in these areas.
Iran’s Foreign Minister recently stressed that border provinces must elevate their engagement with the Taliban. Iran remains the Taliban’s largest economic partner in Afghanistan, with bilateral trade valued at around $4 billion.
