Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered government agencies to remove obstacles to trade and transit with Afghanistan, describing stronger economic cooperation with Kabul as a strategic priority for Tehran.
Speaking during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian instructed ministries and relevant institutions to adopt a problem-solving approach to address barriers affecting commerce and cross-border transportation between the two neighbouring countries.
The directive followed a detailed report presented to the cabinet on the recent visit of Iran’s agriculture minister to Afghanistan. According to Iranian officials, the Taliban administration welcomed efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and expressed readiness to expand trade and economic exchanges with Iran.
Cabinet discussions focused on several longstanding challenges affecting bilateral trade, including customs procedures, delays in the movement of goods and difficulties at border crossings. Pezeshkian said the current level of economic cooperation should be expanded beyond its existing framework and called for faster implementation of measures to facilitate border trade.
The move comes as Afghanistan has become an increasingly important economic partner for Iran. Bilateral trade has grown in recent years despite political and economic uncertainty in Afghanistan, with Iran remaining one of the country’s largest trading partners and a key supplier of food, fuel and consumer goods.
The push for closer economic ties also comes as both countries face shifting regional dynamics. Millions of Afghans have returned from Iran in recent months, increasing pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile economy while making border management and cross-border commerce more significant for both governments.
At the same time, Iran is seeking to strengthen economic links with neighbouring countries as it faces continued sanctions and regional tensions, including its confrontation with the United States under President Donald Trump. Expanding trade corridors with Afghanistan is seen by Tehran as part of a broader strategy to diversify regional economic partnerships and maintain commercial connectivity despite geopolitical pressures.
Iranian officials have repeatedly said improving customs cooperation, transport infrastructure and border facilities is essential to increasing trade volumes and facilitating the movement of goods between the two countries.
Pezeshkian’s latest directive signals Tehran’s intention to deepen practical economic engagement with Afghanistan while prioritising trade, transit and border cooperation as key elements of the bilateral relationship.
