TEHRAN
Iran restarted fuel exports to Afghanistan a few days ago following a request from the Taliban, according to a report by Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.
The price of gasoline in Afghanistan reached $900 per tonne last week after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Reuters has said in a report. To counter the price spike, the new Taliban government asked Iran to keep the borders open for traders.
“The Taliban sent messages to Iran saying ‘you can continue the exports of petroleum products’,” Hamid Hosseini, board member and spokesperson at the Iranian union in Tehran, told Reuters, adding that some Iranian traders had been cautious due to security concerns.
Iranian exports began a few days ago after the Taliban cut tariffs on imports of fuel from Iran up to 70%, Hosseini added, showing an official document from Afghan Customs organization.
The main Iranian exports to Afghanistan are gasoline and gasoil. Iran exported about 400,000 tonnes of fuel to its neighbour from May 2020 to May 2021, according to a report published by PetroView, an Iranian oil and gas research and consultancy platform.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has said that trade between Iran and Afghanistan is back to normal condition. The spokesman said that the volume of trade between Iran and Afghanistan has decreased in the wake of recent developments and insecurities in this country.
According to Seyyed Rouhollah Latifi, the latest statistics show that the trade between Iran and Afghanistan has reached about 1,300 trucks per day by August 21. He said that 185 trucks crossed the Milak border that day, adding, “This shows that the activity of the border is approaching the normal condition.”
He also attached great importance to Iran’s export to Afghanistan, saying that in recent years, this neighbouring country has been the fifth largest export destination for Iranian goods and products.
History shows that Iran has been by the side of the Afghan people, he said, expressing hope that with the returning of peace and stability to this country, the volume of Iran-Afghanistan trade will also be increased.
Earlier, the director-general of Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Department General said on Saturday that Iran has resumed transit of goods from Chabahar Port to Afghanistan.
According to Behrouz Aghaei, between 100 to 200 trucks commute between Iran and Afghanistan daily.
Referring to the several-day suspension of trade with Afghanistan through the port of Chabahar due to recent events in the country, the official added, “Due to the recent events in Afghanistan, the Milak border terminal was closed on August 5 and was reopened to passengers on 10 August.”
“Milak border was reopened for transit of goods on August 15,” he added. Milak border is in Sistan and Baluchestan province and was closed for a period due to the spread of insecurities in the vicinity of the border.
Presently, Dogharoon Border in Khorasan Razavi province and Mahirud Border in South Khorasan province are also open for trade and business activities.
