KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Fuel and gas prices in Afghanistan have reportedly increased following the outbreak of conflict between Iran and Israel, which resulted in a halt in imports from Iran.
In Herat and Kabul, residents report that the price of gas has jumped from 48 to 65 Afghanis ($0.68 to $0.92) per kilogram in recent days. Petrol now costs up to 70 Afghanis ($1) per liter, up from 50 Afghanis ($0.70), while diesel has increased from 59 Afghanis ($0.85) to 67 Afghanis ($0.95).
Vendors say prices are increasing daily and attribute the rise to the suspension of imports from Iran, a key fuel supplier to Afghanistan.
Sediqullah Mansour, head of the Taliban’s petroleum and gas department in Herat, confirmed that fuel imports through the Islam Qala and Nimruz border crossings have been halted since the Iran–Israel fighting began.
The Taliban’s recent restrictions on petrol and gas imports, including a ban on fuel entering through border crossings without testing facilities, have also reportedly contributed to the rise in prices.
Despite these developments, the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce insists that foreign trade is continuing without interruption.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said Afghanistan’s trade ties with neighboring and regional countries remain strong, and that the supply of goods in local markets continues as normal.
The ministry also said it has enhanced import routes from Central Asia and activated alternative channels to prevent potential shortages.
Iran is one of Afghanistan’s largest trading partners, supplying fuel, steel, food, and construction materials. According to the Tehran Times, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $3.197 billion in 2024, with Afghanistan’s imports from Iran totaling $3.14 billion.
