Iranian media reports say Iran has started building a concrete wall along its common border with Afghanistan.
Iranwire.com reports that an initial stretch of over 10 kilometers has already been completed, and plans are in place for an additional 50 kilometers.
Brigadier General Nozar Nemati, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force, reportedly announced the deployment of his unit to oversee the border security and the construction project.
"We began border blocking from the northern section of the Afghan border," General Nemati was cited as saying. He reportedly added that a coordination base has been set up in the area to manage the project.
He further explained, “The wall will improve the security of the country and the border areas, while also positively impacting the country's economy.”
Tehran Times says Nemati highlighted the collaboration with relevant organizations and the Iranian General Staff of the Armed Forces, emphasizing the importance of ongoing meetings to facilitate necessary partnerships for this initiative.
He elaborated that the operation commenced simultaneously with the deployment of four combat engineering teams and 14 subordinate engineering units, alongside several capable companies from across the nation.
Additionally, Nemati pointed out, “Five workshops are actively engaged in wall construction, with hundreds of engineering vehicles from the Iranian Army Ground Forces working continuously to ensure the timely completion of the border sealing project.”
The announcement reportedly comes amid ongoing concerns about cross-border security and smuggling between Iran and Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Khaama Press reports that in recent months, Iran has accelerated its efforts to build a wall along its border with Afghanistan to combat drug trafficking and prevent the illegal entry of migrants.
The ongoing construction of border walls by Iran reportedly raises significant security concerns for neighboring countries, particularly Afghanistan, as border control becomes stricter. Iran’s measures aim to combat illegal migration, but they also signal a broader concern over regional stability.
The security measures and deportation of Afghan refugees reportedly exacerbate the vulnerabilities of Afghan refugees, who are caught between unstable conditions in their homeland and restrictive policies from neighboring states.
