**Afghanistan-Iran Trade Reaches New Heights, Strengthening Economic Ties**

The trade volume between Afghanistan and Iran has grown significantly, now reaching $4 billion annually. This milestone underscores Afghanistan’s importance as a key economic partner for Iran, according to the Iranian Consul General in Herat. Afghan exports to Iran include minerals, raisins, lead, beverages, and sesame, while diesel, petrol, gas, factory raw materials, and cement are the main imports from Iran.

In the first nine months of 2024, trade between the two countries totaled $2.194 billion, with $38 million in Afghan exports and $2.156 billion in imports, reports Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Investment attributes this surge in trade with Iran to recent challenges in Afghanistan’s trade relationship with Pakistan, leading Afghan merchants to turn more toward Iran for trade and transit access to other markets.

Afghanistan has notably expanded its imports and exports through Iranian ports this year, according to Jan Agha Naveed, spokesperson for the Chamber. Economic experts, like Mohammad Asif Stanikzai, view the strengthening of trade relations and the use of Iran’s Chabahar Port as advantageous for both nations, fostering connectivity and economic opportunity.

Iran’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan recently announced Tehran’s commitment to attract Afghan entrepreneurs and investors to large-scale projects in Iran, offering increased facilities to boost bilateral investment.