TEHRAN -- Iran’s interior minister said on Monday that tensions have eased on the eastern border with Afghanistan and the area is now secure, days after a deadly unprovoked attack by Taliban forces.
Ahmad Vahidi’s remarks came two days after two Iranian border guards were killed as heavily-armed Taliban forces opened fire at a border post in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province in violation of international law.
“We do not have any problem at the moment. The border point is in peace and open to traffic,” he said.
“There was a shooting by Afghan border guards, and naturally, we delivered a due response,” he added.
The interior minister also noted that the brief clashes ended and negotiations were held with the Taliban in this regard.
During a visit to Sistan and Baluchestan on Sunday, commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Force Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari warned that the Islamic Republic will change its approach if Afghanistan fails to respect international regulations and the principles of good neighborliness.
He further said that the border areas with Afghanistan are under complete control of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces.
In August 2021, the Taliban managed to seize power after making sweeping advances across Afghanistan in the midst of a messy withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces as well as the rapid collapse of the country’s security forces.
Iran says it does not recognize the ruling administration in Kabul, underlining the need for the formation of an inclusive Afghan government.
Recently, a long-lasting water dispute has resurfaced between Iran and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s non-compliance with the 1973 water-sharing treaty and denying Iran its water rights under the pact have heightened tensions between Tehran and Kabul.
a homegrown hypersonic ballistic missile capable of penetrating advanced aerial defense shields and striking designated targets.
Last Tuesday, Iran successfully test-launched its most advanced Khorramshahr-class ballistic missile, called Kheibar, a medium-range precision-guided missile that can carry a 1,500 kg warhead.
Kheibar is a liquid-fueled missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers and a warhead weighing 1,500 kilograms, designed by the Ministry of Defense’s Aerospace Industries Organization.
Despite being under sanctions for decades, Iran has become self-sufficient in designing and manufacturing different types of military equipment, including missiles.