KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Iran has closed a major border crossing with Afghanistan amid rising tensions following deadly exchanges of attacks between the country and Israel.
Local sources in Afghanistan’s Herat province reported to KabulNow that the Islam Qala-Dogharoon border was shut late Friday, halting both passenger movement and the transit of goods.
Dozens of Afghan travelers are reportedly stranded near the crossing, and it remains unclear how long the closure will last.
Authorities on both sides—Iran and the Taliban—have yet to issue any official statements about the closure.
The Islam Qala-Dogharoon crossing is one of the busiest borders between the two neighboring countries, used daily by large numbers of travelers and cargo trucks.
The closure follows a wave of attacks that began early Friday when Israel launched airstrikes on military and nuclear sites across Iran.
Iran claims that these Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 80 people, including senior military officials, nuclear scientists, women, and children, with over 320 others injured.
Later that day, Iran responded by firing over 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, according to the Israeli military. While most were intercepted, at least three people were killed and 34 others wounded in cities such as Tel Aviv.
The Taliban condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a “blatant violation of international law.”
In a statement, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Several regional countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have also denounced the Israeli airstrikes and warned of the risk of further escalation.
