Taliban announce continued border cooperation, prisoner exchanges, Iran’s water rights

Pars Today – The spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban highlighted border coordination, prisoner exchanges, legalization of Afghan workers, and ensuring Iran’s water rights according to agreements.

According to Pars Today, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, in a special interview with Iran’s Sahab Pashto Radio on Sunday, discussed various issues related to Afghanistan–Iran relations, including border management, prisoner exchanges, the process of sending Afghan workers, and the matter of Iran’s water rights.

Border coordination to prevent smuggling and illegal crossings

Mujahid, referring to the situation along the Afghanistan–Iran shared borders, stated that there are no major border concerns between the two countries, although smuggling-related issues naturally arise from time to time. He added that the border forces of both countries maintain full coordination in border areas, with each side responsible for preventing illegal crossings and the transport of unauthorized goods.

According to the Taliban spokesperson, Afghan and Iranian border forces are currently conducting joint patrols along the border, with full coordination between them. These remarks come as Iran has nearly completed the construction of a border wall along areas adjacent to Afghanistan to secure its borders. In addition, Afghanistan has detained hundreds of people attempting to enter Iran illegally.

Continuation of prisoner exchanges between Afghanistan and Iran

He also announced the ongoing process of prisoner exchanges between Afghanistan and Iran, describing the initiative as mutually beneficial for both countries. He stated that officials from the two nations hold periodic meetings to address issues related to prisoners.

Under the agreements in place, Afghan prisoners can serve their sentences in their home country, and so far, hundreds of Afghan inmates have been transferred back to Afghanistan. Mujahid emphasized that this process will continue in the future.

Efforts to legalize the deployment of Afghan workers to Iran

The Taliban government spokesperson, while expressing gratitude to Iran for providing job opportunities for Afghan citizens, emphasized the need to legalize the process of sending workers. He stated that efforts are underway to establish a clear and legal mechanism between Afghanistan and Iran, similar to arrangements in other countries, to ensure Afghan workers’ rights are fully protected.

Mujahid added that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has begun serious cooperation with Iranian authorities to address this issue. He expressed hope that the legalization process for Afghan workers in Iran will be implemented soon. Meanwhile, Iran has announced plans to formally employ approximately 200,000 Afghan workers across various sectors.

Emphasis on Iran’s water rights within the agreement framework

In another part of his remarks, Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized Iran’s water rights, stating that this is Iran’s legitimate entitlement, and that when sufficient water is available, Afghanistan will provide the agreed-upon amounts according to the existing agreements. He highlighted the neighboring relations between the two countries, adding that Iran, as a neighbor, has the right to cooperate with Afghanistan on water issues.

Mujahid also expressed regret over water shortages in Afghanistan and noted that Iranian officials understand the situation. The Taliban spokesperson stressed that Afghanistan is committed to ensuring Iran’s water rights as per the agreement whenever adequate water is available. In this context, Afghan and Iranian officials have held several technical and political-level meetings to address the matter.