Category: MIddle East

IEA condemns burning of Holy Quran in Sweden

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden and called on Swedish authorities to “severely punish perpetrators”. In a statement issued by the ministry of foreign affairs, the IEA said Swedish authorities must “severely punish perpetrators of this act and … prevent such incidents that desecrate Islamic sanctities from occuring”. The IEA stated: […]

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Taliban Raise Concerns Over ‘Brutal Treatment’ Of Afghan Refugees In Iran

Taliban authorities said on Wednesday they were deeply saddened by reports of the mistreatment of Afghan refugees in Iran, after videos circulated on social media showed civilians being manhandled by men appearing to be Iranian security forces. The videos made the rounds over the weekend, showing men in Iranian border guard uniform and civilians beating Afghan refugees. When the footage […]

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Tehran summons Afghan envoy over incidents at diplomatic missions

Iran on Tuesday summoned Afghanistan’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to protest attacks on Iranian diplomatic missions in Kabul and Herat. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said consular services at diplomatic missions in Afghanistan would cease their operations until full security is assured, Anadolu Agency reported. The ministry urged Afghan authorities to take action against those who attacked its diplomatic missions in […]

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Can Barter Trade Between Iran And Pakistan Become A Reality?

Despite close political relations and geographical proximity, sanctions by United States on the Islamic Republic have prevented Iran-Pakistan economic ties from realizing their full potential, solely because the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot access international banking. To resolve the mentioned problem, the two countries inked a barter trade agreement during the meeting of their Joint Economic Committee in Tehran in […]

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Afghanistan summons Iranian officials over ‘ill-treatment of refugees’

After reports of ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran, Ahmad Yasir, deputy head of the office of First Deputy PM Mullah Baradar, said on Friday that the foreign ministry “summoned” Iranian officials. Afghanistan’s foreign ministry also said that Faizanullah Naseri, head of the ministry’s Second Political Department, on Thursday met with Iranian officials at the ministry to discuss ill-treatment of […]

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Qatari forces reportedly at Kabul airport

An Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority official has said there are a number of Qatari forces stationed at Kabul airport. The source, who did not want to be named, told BBC the Qataris have been stationed at the airport for a few months.

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Iran steps up deportation of Afghan refugees

At least 3,000 Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan from Iran every day, many of whom are forcibly returned, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials have reported. Investigations by the Ministry of Refugees found that 7,500 people entered Afghanistan from the Iranian border in the past two days. According to the ministry, of these people, 5,500 were forcibly returned to Afghanistan […]

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Iran raises April crude oil selling prices for Asia – sources

Iran has set the official selling price (OSP) of its Iranian Light grade for its Asian buyers at $4.70 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average for April, up $2.05 from the previous month, two industry sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The table below shows April crude prices to Asia, as differentials to the […]

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Turkish FM ‘advises’ IEA officials on what’s needed to gain int’l recognition

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday he advised Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials on what steps need to be taken for the Afghan government to gain international recognition. “We told them in a very friendly fashion which steps should be taken for international recognition,” Cavusoglu told a press conference. He said that they focused on the importance […]

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IEA hoping for Kabul airport deal with Turkey and Qatar

While attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that he is “hopeful” an agreement will be reached with Turkey and Qatar on operating the airport services in Kabul. Stating that an agreement had been secured on “a number of issues regarding Kabul Airport” with these two countries, Amir Khan Muttaqi said some issues […]

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