Security prevails on border with Afghanistan: Commander

An Iranian army commander has assured that the situation is normal along the border with Afghanistan where the Taliban are making gains, stressing that “full security” prevails in the region.

In an interview with Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday, Second Brigadier General Mahmoud Mahmoudi, the commander of the army’s 30th operational headquarters in South Khorasan province bordering Afghanistan, said while some areas have been captured by the Taliban, the overall control of the country remains in the hands of the government.

Mahmoudi confirmed that the Taliban have captured some areas along Iran’s eastern borders, but stressed that Iranian army forces are stationed in the region and have everything under control.

“Given the developments in Afghanistan, full security has been provided at the border’s zero point and there is no cause for concern for people and those residing near the frontier,” he said.

“Of course, inside Afghanistan anything may happen and some places may be seized by the Taliban, but that will not affect Iranian people and armed forces, thanks to the management of the situation at the national, regional and local levels and owing to the vigilance of our military, security and border forces.”

Over the past weeks, the Taliban have overrun areas in Afghanistan bordering five countries – Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China and Pakistan.

On Friday, Taliban claimed that it had seized control of 85 percent of Afghan territory, a declaration government officials dismissed as part of a propaganda campaign.

The Taliban gains come amid the withdrawal of US-led troops from the country after two decades of war and occupation.