3 Killed in Border Clash Between Iran and Taliban; Local Officials Initiate Dialogue

A border clash between Iran and the Taliban government in Afghanistan on Saturday, June 6, resulted in at least 3 deaths and several injuries. Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Sistan and Baluchestan announced that border discussions between local officials from Iran and Afghanistan have commenced, and both sides agreed to continue talks regarding the cause of the conflict. Alireza Marhamati, the security and police deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan, stated to Fars News Agency that the situation at the Iran-Afghanistan border is currently under control, with Iranian forces stationed at the border. Earlier, the online newspaper 'Etemad-e-Rooz' reported that spokespeople from the Taliban's Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior stated they do not seek war with their neighbors and consider 'dialogue and negotiation' a reasonable way to resolve any issues. Enayatullah Khawarzami, the Taliban's Ministry of Defense spokesperson, stated, 'Making excuses for war and negative actions benefits neither side.' Prior to these statements, Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, had reported the clash's location as the border between Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran and Nimroz province in Afghanistan, around the villages of Sasouli, Hatam, and Makki. The state news agency IRNA also reported that 2 Iranian border guards were killed and 2 civilians were injured. Taliban's Interior Ministry spokesperson, Abdul Nafee Takor, confirmed the death of one Taliban member. The newspaper 'Etemad-e-Rooz' reported from 'local sources in Nimroz province' that 'one civilian was killed and five others were injured in this clash.' Meanwhile, the news site 'Hal Vash,' which covers issues in Sistan and Baluchestan, reported from local sources about the deaths and injuries of civilians on both sides of the border during this border clash. Earlier, news sources confirmed the use of artillery and military weapons by both sides. While Tasnim News Agency confirmed the use of light, semi-light weapons, and artillery by Iranian border guards in this clash, some news outlets published images of heavy artillery and weapons being sent by Taliban forces towards the border with Iran. Tehran and Kabul have accused each other of initiating the gunfire, but no information has been provided yet regarding the reason for this armed conflict. The Deputy Commander of the Islamic Republic's Police Force identified the Taliban forces as responsible for initiating the border clash. Qasem Rezaei, without providing further explanations, stated, 'The Taliban forces, disregarding international laws and neighborly sentiments, opened fire on the Sasouli outpost in the Zabol border region.' Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief of Police, emphasized the 'decisive' response of the Islamic Republic's border forces 'to any border violation and aggression,' demanding accountability from the Taliban government 'for their reckless actions.' On the other hand, the Taliban's Interior Ministry spokesperson, Abdul Nafee Takor, accused Iranian border guards of initiating the clash, adding that they faced 'reciprocal reactions' after firing towards the Afghan side. Additionally, border clashes between the Taliban and the Islamic Republic have a history, especially amid rising tensions over water rights. Recently, verbal tensions between officials of the two countries regarding Iran's water rights from the Helmand River have increased, particularly after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's 'serious warning' to the Taliban on this matter. According to the 1972 agreement between Kabul and Tehran, Afghanistan is committed to releasing 850 million cubic meters of Helmand River water to Iran annually. In recent years, media reports in Iran have indicated that this commitment has not been fulfilled. However, officials from various Afghan governments have cited reasons such as drought for their refusal to grant Iran's water rights.