Armed clashes between Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters near a border police station between Iran and Afghanistan have resulted in casualties. Two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter were killed in the skirmish. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the gunfire near the police station located on the border of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province and Afghanistan's Nimroz province. The cause of the tension is currently under investigation, with correspondence and phone calls initiated between the Iranian Embassy in Kabul and Afghanistan's Taliban-run acting Ministry of National Defense.
Gunfire Exchange The armed clashes involved both sides opening fire on each other. The exact reason for the skirmish remains unknown, and both Iran's official IRNA news agency and the Taliban's Interior Ministry have reported conflicting accounts regarding which side initiated the gunfire.
Loss of Lives and Injuries Two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter were killed in the clashes. Additionally, several others, including civilians, sustained injuries from both sides involved in the confrontation.
Weapons Used The conflict involved the use of "light and semi-light weapons and artillery" by both sides. However, the Iranian side denies employing missiles, refuting certain false reports that claimed otherwise.
Escalating Tensions and Water Dispute The clashes occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and Afghanistan over Iran's "unpaid" water share from the Hirmand River (Helmand River in Afghanistan). A 1973 treaty between Tehran and Kabul entitles Iran to receive 820 million cubic meters of water from the river annually. Disputes over the water distribution have contributed to the escalating tensions between the neighboring countries.
Iranian Position Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, stated that his country does not recognize Afghanistan's caretaker Taliban government. Iran emphasizes the need for an inclusive government to be formed in Afghanistan.
Taliban's Response The Taliban government issued a statement describing Iran's water requests and "inappropriate" media comments as "harmful." The Taliban reasserted its commitment to honoring the 1973 treaty.
Armed clashes between Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters near the Iran-Afghanistan border have resulted in casualties. The cause of the skirmish is still under investigation, and both sides have offered conflicting accounts regarding who initiated the gunfire. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions between the two countries over water distribution from the Hirmand River. Iran does not recognize Afghanistan's caretaker Taliban government and insists on the formation of an inclusive government. The Taliban government maintains its commitment to the 1973 treaty while deeming Iran's water requests and media comments as "harmful."