Iran and the Taliban have agreed to establish consulates in Farah and Birjand to enhance trade and economic cooperation, according to Mohammad Reza Hashemi, Governor of South Khorasan, as reported by IRNA.
Hashemi stated that these consulates would facilitate increased collaboration in multiple sectors. He noted that under directives from Iran’s President and Interior Ministry, border provinces have been granted greater autonomy to strengthen economic ties with neighbouring Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban rule.
Highlighting South Khorasan’s strategic importance, Hashemi pointed out that the province shares Iran’s longest border with Afghanistan and operates four border markets. “South Khorasan, with its extensive border and four markets, holds immense potential for expanding trade with Afghanistan,” he said, adding that approximately 95 percent of the province’s exports go to Afghanistan.
Looking ahead to 2025, Hashemi detailed plans to reopen and activate the Yazdān, Mil 73, and Dukuhana border markets. To address challenges faced by traders, he announced initiatives such as meetings with Taliban officials, formation of joint cooperation committees with Farah province, completion of the Mil 78 transit route, and hosting exhibitions to showcase collaboration opportunities. He also emphasised efforts to establish a joint Iran-Afghanistan chamber of commerce and enhance staffing to extend border operations to 24 hours for improved trade facilitation.
Iran currently operates consulates in Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. The planned consulate in Farah comes at a time of concerns from Iranian sources regarding the presence of anti-Iran militants, particularly Jaish al-Adl, in Farah and Nimroz. Some Iranian journalists have claimed that individuals linked to the group hold government positions in these regions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister recently underscored the need for border provinces to strengthen engagement with the Taliban. Iran remains Afghanistan’s largest economic partner under Taliban rule, with bilateral trade estimated at $4 billion.
