Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has announced Tehran’s intention to substantially expand cooperation with Afghanistan, highlighting the deep cultural, economic, and social ties that have long connected the two neighbours.
Chairing a coordination meeting on Afghanistan, Aref called for the creation of a detailed cooperation framework between Iran and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. He directed all ministries and relevant bodies to submit their sector-specific proposals within a month, enabling the plan to be finalised.
“The Comprehensive Iran-Afghanistan Cooperation Programme should be drafted by the Joint Cooperation Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Aref said. “All ministries must send their specialised proposals within the set timeframe so the programme can become the foundation for bilateral engagement.”
He noted that Afghan authorities have expressed a clear desire to boost ties with Tehran, pointing to increased trade, sustained diplomatic exchanges, and regular official communication over the past year.
Aref said deeper cooperation would help remove existing barriers and open new opportunities across multiple fields. Trade relations between the two countries continue to grow, with annual bilateral trade reaching $3.6 billion, making Iran one of Afghanistan’s largest economic partners. Afghan officials maintain that expanded engagement with Iran offers mutual benefits.
Aref also stressed the importance of cultural, academic, scientific, and technological collaboration, describing these areas as essential pillars of Iran’s long-term approach toward Afghanistan. Engagement, he said, must go beyond technical coordination to include education and cultural exchange.
His comments follow the recent visit of Afghanistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Nida Mohammad Nadim, who travelled to Tehran at Iran’s invitation to explore deeper academic cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
As both sides work toward a comprehensive cooperation roadmap, officials express confidence that enhanced partnership will bolster economic growth and contribute to broader regional stability.
