Mullah Baradar Leads Taliban Delegation To Kazan Economic Forum In Tatarstan

Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, emphasised that Afghanistan’s vast mineral resources offer valuable opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The reported investment is expected to significantly enhance Iran’s global position in steel production.

According to Fars, Iran’s growing demand for raw materials, particularly in its mining industries, combined with the potential for up to sixfold added value, makes Afghanistan an attractive source. Iran currently imports Afghan iron ore at approximately $100 per tonne and exports the processed steel at around $600 per tonne, highlighting the profitability of the venture.

Data from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines indicates that Iran has already invested $2.3 billion in the Afghan mining sector in recent years, including iron ore extraction. The current agreement outlines a five-year cooperation plan, projected to generate $1.2 billion in annual revenue for Iran.

Another Iranian outlet reported that Iran’s access to low-cost Afghan raw materials will increase its share of steel production in Asia by 20 percent, potentially elevating its global ranking from tenth to sixth place.

Alongside Russia and China, Iran has emerged as one of the leading foreign stakeholders interested in Afghanistan’s mining sector.

Economic and diplomatic relations between Iran and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan have expanded significantly over the past three years. A decline in trade and transit with Pakistan, combined with Iran’s strategic efforts to strengthen ties with the Taliban, has pushed the annual bilateral trade volume to approximately $4 billion.

In line with this regional policy, Iran has authorised its border provinces to fully leverage their capacities to develop commercial and economic partnerships with adjacent Afghan provinces. The Islamic Republic has also cultivated strong relations with the Taliban leadership in Kandahar and announced plans to open a new consulate in Farah province, further signalling the growing importance of its engagement with Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

The annual celebration, held in the Arghandab district of Kandahar, marks the arrival of spring with the ripening of berries and typically lasts between 20 to 40 days. It includes traditional wrestling, Attan dancing, singing, and other cultural programmes.

However, local sources reported on Tuesday, 13 May, that the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is prohibiting journalists from capturing images or footage of the festival or its participants.

Officials from the ministry in Arghandab reportedly detained several journalists for hours and warned them against any visual documentation.

“Officials from the Propagation of Virtue directorate in Arghandab summoned seven journalists who were filming the festival. They were informed that, by order of the provincial governor and the Taliban leadership, all filming and photography are strictly forbidden,” one source said.

According to the same source, Taliban officials also deleted all photos and videos recorded by journalists at the event.

Festival attendees told Afghanistan International that Taliban forces were actively patrolling the area in vehicles, regularly urging people to “align themselves with Sharia”.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, many aspects of the Shalimar Festival have been restricted. Singing and the performance of the Attan, a traditional Pashto dance, have been banned, despite their cultural significance.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue on Afghan-related matters. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the meeting took place on Monday, 12 May. According to the ministry’s statement, the two sides not only addressed regional issues but also stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation on Afghanistan-related matters.

The ministry added that both Uzbekistan and EU representatives called for continued, regular, and constructive dialogue to tackle issues concerning Afghanistan, reaffirming the need for ongoing consultations.

While Uzbekistan has not formally recognised the Taliban government, it aims to preserve and strengthen its relations with the group and has held multiple meetings with officials from various countries on this matter.

Recently, Uzbekistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan also met with the Polish Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, where both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation on Afghan-related issues.

According to the Taliban’s statement, the man was sentenced to 39 lashes by the group’s primary court, with the punishment carried out publicly.

The flogging took place on Tuesday, 13 May, in the courtyard of the Taliban’s district police headquarters in Yaftal, attended by local Taliban officials and residents of Badakhshan.

The Taliban's Supreme Court announces incidents of corporal punishment almost daily. The United Nations and various human rights organisations have repeatedly urged the Taliban to cease such practices.

Rights groups have criticised the Taliban’s judicial system, noting that it lacks proper standards, and that defendants are denied access to fair trial procedures, including legal representation.

In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, 13 May, the UK Mission stated: "46 percent of married Afghan women face physical abuse, 34 percent emotional abuse, and 6 percent sexual violence." It stressed the crucial role of men in ending such violence. Quoting a 29-year-old man from Paktika, Afghanistan, named Adam, it added: "Supporting women and girls is not a sign of weakness, it is a mark of true character. We must be their allies, friends, and advocates for their rights."

These concerns follow a recent report by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, which revealed that divorce has become nearly impossible for women under Taliban rule. The report noted that divorce remains a source of shame in Afghan society.

Furthermore, the situation for women continues to worsen due to domestic violence and the severe restrictions on their fundamental rights and freedoms.