Kabul says Afghanistan-Iran trade growing after Muttaqi meets with Iranian envoy

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi told Iran’s top diplomat in Kabul that trade between the two countries is increasing, while also praising Tehran’s stance on recent tensions involving Pakistan.

According to the ministry, Muttaqi met Ali Reza Bikdeli, the acting head of Iran’s embassy in Kabul, to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues.

The ministry said the meeting partly focused on economic cooperation. In an official statement, it noted: “The foreign minister also said that bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Iran is growing.”

Kabul also used the meeting to welcome Iran’s position on recent tensions involving Pakistan. The ministry said Muttaqi praised the “positive stance” of Iranian officials and outlined Afghanistan’s position, saying it seeks “to resolve the reasonable demands of both sides through meaningful and genuine talks”.

Bikdeli also gave a positive assessment of ties between the two neighbours, according to the statement. The ministry said the Iranian envoy viewed cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran, “especially trade”, favourably.

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The statement added that Bikdeli said Iran’s leadership was closely following the latest situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and was seeking a peaceful solution.

The wider regional situation also featured in the meeting. According to the ministry, Muttaqi described “the aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran” as harmful to the region, while Bikdeli shared Tehran’s perspective on recent developments.

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