Clashes on the Iranian-Afghan Border

A spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban announced today, Saturday, that two members of the Iranian border guard and one Taliban fighter were killed following a gunfire exchange between the Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters near a border point between Iran and Afghanistan. Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafee Takor stated in a statement, "Iranian border forces fired today in Nimroz Province towards Afghanistan, which was met with a counter-response." He added, "The situation is now under control. The Islamic Emirate does not wish to fight with its neighbors." The Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Iranian police deputy commander Qasem Rezai saying, "Ignoring international laws and good neighborliness, Taliban forces began firing at the Sassoli checkpoint, which led to a decisive response." The agency reported that the Iranian border guards stated in a statement that their forces "used heavy fire to inflict casualties and significant damage."