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🇦🇹 Austria /Economy & Trade

Iran and Afghanistan deepen economic ties amid isolation

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Trade volume between Iran and Afghanistan has reached $2.7 billion, with projections to hit $10 billion in three years.
  • This economic growth signifies a closer relationship between the two nations amid their international isolation.
  • The rapprochement is driven by pragmatic interests, including Iran's need for stability on its eastern border and Afghanistan's limited international cooperation options.

Iran and Afghanistan are strengthening their economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $2.7 billion. This figure is projected to surge to $10 billion within the next three years, according to Hossein Roustaei, Iran's trade attaché in Kabul. This significant economic development highlights a growing closeness between the two neighboring countries, particularly as they navigate international isolation.

The acceleration of this relationship is partly attributed to the ongoing conflict and border issues. Afghanistan's closure of its border with Pakistan has made Iran a crucial trade partner, now ranking as the Islamic Republic's fifth-largest. For Iran, maintaining stability on its eastern flank is a key strategic interest, especially given regional security concerns.

Conrad Schetter, a conflict researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, describes the current rapprochement as one born out of necessity rather than deep ideological alignment. "We see an approximation out of necessity; it is not based on brotherhood," Schetter stated. Despite ideological differences, with Iran being Shia and the Taliban being Sunni, pragmatic realpolitik appears to be the driving force. Iran has even provided support to elements of the Taliban in the past, primarily to counter U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

The shared animosity towards the United States continues to play a role, though perhaps more prominently for Iran. Discussions around the potential reopening of the former U.S. military base in Bagram highlight this dynamic. While the Taliban officially reject renewed U.S. interest, they remain open to negotiations, which could offer financial and reputational benefits. Markus Gauster, from the Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management in Vienna, notes that the Taliban adopted a neutral stance towards the U.S. during the Iran-Iraq war, indicating a history of strategic maneuvering.

We see an approximation out of necessity; it is not based on brotherhood.

— Conrad SchetterConrad Schetter, a conflict researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, commenting on the pragmatic nature of the growing Iran-Afghanistan relationship.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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