Internet Shutdowns In Afghanistan Should Never Happen, Says UN Rapporteur

Larijani said any renewed American presence in the region would face fierce resistance and argued that airstrikes alone cannot topple governments such as Iran’s. He described US military campaigns in the Middle East and South Asia as “deadly for American troops.”

In an interview on Wednesday, Larijani said Washington, with Israeli support, may be able to harm regional countries but cannot maintain control over them. He cited Iraq and Afghanistan as examples where the US was ultimately forced to withdraw.

“Mr Trump said in an interview that we will take Bagram airbase, but the Taliban minister responded that not an inch of land will be given,” Larijani said, highlighting sharp disagreements between the two sides. He dismissed Trump’s threats, asking: “What does it mean that you must take Bagram airbase?”

Referring to the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, Larijani warned: “Bombing alone does not solve problems. Come down on the ground and they will deal with you. You cannot take a country just with bombing.”

During that conflict, Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on Iran, while Tehran responded with hundreds of rockets. US strikes also caused significant damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump later announced the end of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of returning to Bagram, warning of “bad consequences” if the Taliban refuse. He has described the US withdrawal from Afghanistan as a “shameful day in American history.”

The Taliban remain under pressure over Bagram, though it is unclear how Washington could re-establish a presence at the base.

Russia, China and Iran have all voiced opposition to any US return. Their foreign ministers, speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, said a renewed American base in Afghanistan would threaten regional stability and security.

He stressed that the two sides remain “coordinated and aligned” on regional and global developments.

Speaking to an Iranian news agency on 1 October, Sayadat said the effect of the sanctions is minimal because trade with Afghanistan is conducted mainly through land routes. He called for improvements at the Milak border, which links Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province to Afghanistan’s Nimruz province, including opening a second bridge to ease cargo movement and boost Chabahar’s role in Afghan transit trade.

According to Iranian officials, annual trade between the two countries through the Dogharoon crossing amounts to around $3 billion.

The remarks follow the European Union’s 29 September announcement that nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, previously suspended, had been reimposed after the activation of the snapback mechanism. The United Kingdom, France and Germany triggered the process a month earlier.

A resolution put forward by China and Russia to block the mechanism failed at the UN Security Council on 26 September, leading to the reinstatement of all UN sanctions on Iran at 3:30 a.m. local time on 28 September.

The European Union subsequently said it would once again freeze the assets of Iran’s central bank and several major lenders, while also reimposing bans on Iranian cargo flights to EU airports. Measures preventing the servicing of Iranian cargo aircraft and ships carrying prohibited goods were also reinstated.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Tokumov’s visit but released no further details of the talks.

Both Qatar and Kazakhstan maintain close contacts with the Taliban despite not formally recognising the group.

At the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying inclusive development is key to ensuring long-term regional security.

On 29 September, the Taliban administration cut fibre-optic internet and telecom services nationwide, disrupting government institutions, halting banking and customs operations, and grounding flights.

In Washington, US Congressman Tim Burchett wrote to President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, calling the blackout “a flagrant assault on the Afghan people’s fundamental rights.” He urged the UN Security Council to condemn the move in a resolution.

Burchett later said the Taliban’s actions suppress Afghans and deepen the country’s isolation. Taliban spokespersons have not commented on either the shutdown or the subsequent restoration of services.

They said the outage has disabled registration systems, forcing officials to process cases manually. The disruption has stalled parts of humanitarian operations and left many migrants unable to receive cash assistance.

Registration and assistance for returnees from Iran and Pakistan are fully computerised, with aid groups providing both cash and non-cash support once individuals are entered into the system.

With services paralysed, many aid workers have left their posts, the sources said. Migrants are now facing mounting hardships and are calling for internet access to be restored.