Afghanistan Peace CampaignA significant portion of Afghanistan’s imports, including oil and liquefied gas, comes from Iran.
Local officials in Herat report that due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, the import of oil and gas from Iran has been suspended. Simultaneously, the prices of gas and petroleum products have surged in Herat.
Sediqullah Mansour, head of the trade department at the Herat Directorate of Oil and Gas, said: “Since the war between Iran and Israel began, imports of petroleum products and liquefied gas through the Nimroz border, Mil 78 in Farah province, and the Islam Qala port in Herat province have been completely halted. Previously, we imported up to 2,000 tons of petroleum products and gas daily, but this process is now stopped.”
Meanwhile, some Herat residents say that over the past two days, the prices of liquefied gas and fuel have risen by nearly fifteen percent. They express concern that given the current economic challenges, many people cannot afford to buy gas and petroleum products at elevated prices.
Jamshid Azizi, a Herat resident, said: “Previously, we used to buy a kilogram of liquefied gas for 48 to 50 afghani, but today we paid 63 to 65 afghani per kilo.”
Firoz Ahmad Amini, a gas seller, said: “Due to Israel’s attack on Iran and the closure of borders, the prices of gas and petroleum products have gone up.”
Naveed Ahmadi, a manager at a fuel station in Herat, said: “Fuel has become very scarce in the market, which is the main reason for the price hike.”
However, the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment stated that imports of petroleum products and liquefied gas from Central Asian countries continue, with over 1,200 tons entering the country daily through the Torghundi port alone. They also plan to increase imports from Central Asia to meet domestic demand.
Younus Qazizadah, head of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “We have alternative routes for supplying goods and fuel. Traders have been importing from Central Asia through the Hairatan, Aqina, and Torghundi ports and are striving to increase the volume. If we face any issues with the Islamic Republic of Iran, we will use other borders to supply fuel.”
A significant portion of Afghanistan’s imports, including oil and liquefied gas, comes from Iran. The ongoing war between Iran and Israel has disrupted trade relations between the two countries and affected the import process.