The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were spotted sending further military reinforcements, heavy artillery and military equipment to the border with Afghanistan, following the capture of a key border crossing by Taliban on July 8.
According to some reports, Iran has issued an ultimatum to the Taliban to evacuate the recently captured Islam Qala border area.
#Taliban militants have captured a key crossing along #Afghanistan’s border with #Iran. Over the last few weeks, the Taliban has made major territorial gains as #US and #NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan. Find out more!https://t.co/77yD5jsxSQ pic.twitter.com/NfYUL60f6R
— Statecraft (@statecraftdaily) July 12, 2021
According to the local reports, the border area was completely secured after the recent attack by Taliban militants.
“There is no problem with the security of Iran’s borders, and at present all of Iran’s eastern border in common with Afghanistan is in complete security and peace,” Xinhua news agency quoted Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC’s Ground Forces, as saying on Sunday.
After the Taliban attack a number of Afghan border guards crossed the border and took refuge in Iran’s Dowqarun customs office. On July 11, Iranian police spokesman announced that they were repatriated.
“An official request of the government of Afghanistan from the competent authorities of our country asking for the return of their personnel was approved, and these employees were returned to Afghanistan by flight,” Mehdi Hajian said in an interview with state TV.