An Iranian military commander has announced that Iran would fence 330 kilometers of its eastern border with Afghanistan by the end of the current year.
"The project of erecting fences along the 330 kilometers of the eastern border will be completed by the end of this year. The construction of fence will ensure permanent security in this country," the commander of the Northeast Headquarters in the Iranian Army's ground forces Brig-Gen, Siroos Amanollahi said, the Amu TV website reported on August 19.
He said that the project is being carried out in coordination with Afghan authorities, adding that the fencing of the borders in the provinces of Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan is expected to be completed within three years.
The Iranian Interior Ministry allocated $3 billion for the project, which involves the construction of four-meter-high concrete walls, installation of barbed wire and fences, and the construction of a road within three years. The border fortification project began in May 2024.
According to Iranian officials, the border closures are intended to prevent drug smuggling, cross-border movements of terrorists and the illegal entry of migrants.
Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban authorities have said that they have consented to Iran's decision to fence the border, and the Taliban does not allow anyone to use the territory of Afghanistan against any other country.
Iran’s eastern and southeastern regions serve as a significant transit route for drugs originating in Afghanistan, destined for Europe. However, the Taliban administration denies reports of increased poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, urging the international community to support Afghanistan in eradicating drugs.
The deputy head of Iran's anti-narcotics headquarters Mohammad Zarei has recently announced a collaborative agreement between Iran and Afghanistan to enhance efforts in combating narcotics and drug trafficking through information exchange.
During a meeting with representatives of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government in Kabul last week, Mohammad Zarei highlighted discussions focused on strategies for combating narcotics, including prevention, demand reduction, and treatment for drug addiction.
“The latest agreement includes the exchange of information on anti-narcotics efforts, the provision of educational resources, and the establishment of joint committees,” he added.
According to the Department of Counter-Narcotics of the Afghan Interior Ministry, 1,250 large and small drug-processing factories were destroyed in the country after the re-establishment of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan in August 2021, there have been multiple clashes between the group's forces and Iranian border guards. Over the past three years, these confrontations have claimed the lives of military personnel and civilians on both sides, while each country accuses the other of initiating gunfire.
Iran has frequently sought a border fence to control the influx of illegal migrants as well. The Iranian authorities announced plans to deport millions of Afghan refugees, labeled as “illegal” migrants. Iran claims to host approximately 5 million Afghan migrants, although some Iranian media sources estimate the number to be as high as 8 million.
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