The commander of the Iranian Army’s Southeastern Regional Headquarters, Brigadier General Amir Gholamalian, has announced that a 35-kilometer-long wall along the eastern borders with Afghanistan has been completed.
According to this Iranian official, the movement of Afghans along the eastern border of the country has decreased by 50% following the border closure.
Reports indicate that the sealing of borders in Razavi Khorasan, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan will be completed within the next three years. Iran has allocated $3 billion to its armed forces to implement this border-sealing project. It is planned that 330 kilometers of Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan will be secured by the end of the current year.
Amir Gholamalian, the commander of the Iranian Army’s Southeastern Regional Headquarters Brigadier General, stated: “Our border sealing is not just a physical barrier. It is entirely based on cutting-edge technology and incorporates all necessary measures for secure physical protection along the border zone.”
Some military experts believe that border sealing is the right of every country under international law. Sealing the border with Iran has reportedly prevented drug trafficking and contributed to reducing the movement of illegal immigrants.
“Sealing Iran’s border with Afghanistan can prevent human trafficking, illegal migration, and drug smuggling in the future,” said Sadeq Shinwari, a military analyst.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, assured that no threats to neighboring countries emanate from Afghanistan’s borders and that sealing the borders on Iranian soil is an internal matter of Iran.
Mujahid said: “No illegal activities take place from Afghan territory into neighboring lands. Issues such as smuggling, which Iran had concerns about, have been resolved. However, if Iran decides to enhance sealing or fortifications within its own territory, it is their matter.”
Earlier, Iranian officials had stated that the eastern borders are currently secure and there are no significant issues with Afghanistan.
The provinces of Razavi Khorasan, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran share approximately 980 kilometers of border with Afghanistan.