Iran-Israel Conflict Is Worsening Afghanistan Crisis, UNAMA Chief Warns

The legislation, titled the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, was introduced by Congressman Tim Burchett and approved on Monday.

The bill mandates the US Department of State to develop strategies to block Taliban access to international assistance and to report its efforts to Congress. It also calls on the State Department to urge other countries to withhold financial aid from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

While it remains unclear how much US aid the Taliban has directly accessed, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified in a congressional hearing that the group may have indirectly obtained approximately $10 million. Reports suggest the Taliban has gained funds by taxing aid deliveries or interfering with their distribution.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the United States has provided more than $3.5 billion in aid to Afghanistan. Lawmakers including Burchett argue that a significant portion of this assistance has ended up in Taliban hands.

Burchett, a Republican representative from Tennessee, has claimed that up to $40 million in US taxpayer funds may have been delivered to the Taliban using private aircraft. He has also accused the group of maintaining ties with al-Qaeda.

The bill, introduced on 23 June 2025, requires the State Department to compile a report on countries that have provided aid to Afghanistan under Taliban control since 2021.

The legislation builds on previous measures introduced during the Trump administration, which had already curtailed most US aid to Afghanistan over concerns that the Taliban could divert it.

Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is expected to brief the Council, alongside Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women.

According to an official UN report released on Sunday, the public session will be followed by closed consultations among Security Council members. Several regional countries are also expected to participate in the meeting.

A key focus of today’s discussions will be the Taliban’s restrictive and discriminatory policies, particularly those targeting women and girls. Otunbayeva is also anticipated to present updates on the next steps in the Doha process, an initiative launched in 2023 to coordinate international engagement with the Taliban.

The previous Security Council session on Afghanistan, held on 10 March 2025, raised serious concerns about human rights violations, the growing presence of terrorist groups, and the extension of UNAMA’s mandate. Otunbayeva's forthcoming remarks are expected to address these ongoing issues and outline future UN efforts in the country.

Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, told the Taliban-controlled Radio Television Afghanistan that “the import, transit, and supply of goods in domestic markets are proceeding normally.” His remarks were published on Monday.

Jawad added that the prices of essential goods remain stable across the country and are consistent with established benchmarks. He dismissed reports of food shortages as “personal opinions” not reflective of the broader market situation.

The comments come amid growing regional concerns about the impact of the Iran-Israel war on neighbouring economies. Earlier, Attaullah Omari, the Taliban’s Minister of Agriculture, warned that rising tensions could disrupt Afghanistan’s trade with Iran. Speaking at the 2025 Russia Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Omari said the Taliban is in discussions with Moscow to ensure continued food imports.

“We still rely on some food items that come from Iran, and if problems arise there, it will undoubtedly have its effects,” Omari told Reuters.

Iran supplies Afghanistan with a range of goods, including dairy products, while Russia and Kazakhstan remain the country’s primary sources of wheat and flour. Russia also exports sugar and vegetable oil to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan became the largest buyer of Russian flour in 2024 and increased its domestic wheat production by 10 percent last year, reaching 4.83 million metric tonnes. The country’s annual wheat consumption is estimated at 6.8 million metric tonnes.

“For the past four years, since the withdrawal of the Americans, we have been making efforts to provide our essential food supplies ourselves,” Omari said. “The remaining amount, including flour and wheat, is supplied annually by Russia.”

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides discussed a range of issues, including trade, transit, regional infrastructure, and the upcoming trilateral meeting involving China, Pakistan, and the Taliban administration, which is scheduled to take place in Kabul.

Both ministers expressed support for expanded cooperation on strategic projects such as the Trans-Afghan railway. Muttaqi voiced hope that the recent upgrading of diplomatic relations between the two countries would lead to deeper and more practical collaboration.

Dar stressed the importance of Afghanistan’s role in large-scale connectivity initiatives, highlighting the potential for progress through joint efforts. He welcomed Afghanistan’s inclusion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as a positive step toward strengthening regional integration.

Since Dar’s visit to Kabul in April 2025, both sides have reported progress in trade and transit cooperation. The trilateral dialogue in Beijing brokered by China has also helped ease tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. During that meeting, Pakistan announced it would elevate its diplomatic representation in Kabul from chargé d’affaires to ambassador.

Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan had been strained in recent years, marked by frequent border clashes at Torkham, Dand Wa Patan, Spin Boldak, and other crossings. Pakistan has also conducted aerial strikes inside Afghan territory, drawing sharp condemnation from the Taliban.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and Baloch separatists with alleged support from India. In turn, the Taliban accuse Pakistan of backing ISIS elements in Afghanistan.

Following Dar’s most recent trip to Kabul, Pakistani media reported that Taliban officials pledged to prevent cross-border TTP attacks. Pakistani authorities estimate that approximately 6,000 TTP members, including senior leadership, are currently based in Afghanistan.

The human rights organisation welcomed his release and emphasised that Saidi should never have been imprisoned for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Amnesty International also thanked supporters of its “Urgent Action” campaign, which had called for his immediate release.

Saidi, director of Anar Media, was arrested on 14 July 2024 in Kabul alongside colleagues Sayed Waris Saeedi and Hasib Sadat. While his colleagues were released the following day, Saidi remained detained and was later sentenced to three years in prison for alleged propaganda against the Taliban.

Reports indicate that he was held in an intelligence detention facility before being transferred to Pul-e-Charkhi Prison, despite suffering from serious health issues.

Saidi has worked in Afghanistan’s media industry for over two decades. He was reportedly targeted for writing a screenplay highlighting the denial of education to girls under Taliban rule. The screenplay was intended to become a critical film addressing education and women’s rights in the country.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center and the Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization had previously demanded his release. According to available data, more than 10 journalists remain in Taliban custody.

Amnesty International reiterated the importance of defending freedom of expression and called for global support for artists, journalists, and media professionals facing repression.