RASC News Agency: The Islamic Republic of Iran has imposed a formal ban on the import of agricultural products from Afghanistan, citing newly implemented regulatory restrictions. According to Shargh Daily, a leading Tehran-based publication, the ban is primarily driven by the increasingly stringent protocols of Iran’s Plant Protection Organization. Alireza Khamehzar, President of the South Khorasan Chamber of Commerce, confirmed the development in an interview with ILNA. Khamehzar noted that Iran, once Afghanistan’s leading trade partner, has now fallen to fifth place in the rankings. He attributed this decline to deepening commercial friction and Tehran’s diminishing purchase of Afghanistan agricultural goods particularly in vital sectors such as fresh produce and vegetables.
Despite the downturn, he emphasized that Iran remains one of Afghanistan’s most significant trading allies. Iranian exports to Afghanistan continue at high volumes, including essential commodities such as gasoline, natural gas, construction materials, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. Highlighting Afghanistan’s strategic geographic position and Iran’s domestic agricultural constraints especially those caused by chronic water shortages Khamehzar pointed to Afghanistan as a potential alternative for meeting Iran’s growing agricultural needs. With its fertile, underutilized lands and cost-effective labor force, Afghanistan presents a compelling option for transnational cultivation and food security initiatives.
He further acknowledged that Iran’s restrictive policy has triggered friction in bilateral trade relations, drawing formal objections from the Afghanistan government over the growing trade imbalance. Border provinces such as Afghanistan’s Farah and Iran’s South Khorasan are particularly affected, as the proximity between these regions has historically facilitated robust cross-border commerce now at risk of disruption.
