Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Friday called for Afghanistan's cooperation in continuing the natural flow of water in border rivers and removing obstacles in this regard.

Referring to the cultural, racial, religious and civilization ties between Iran and Afghanistan, and the presence of millions of Afghans in Iran for nearly five decades, Baqaei said that maintaining and deepening relations between the two countries in various fields requires respect for mutual interests and avoiding "harmful unilateral actions."

He also emphasized the importance of bilateral agreements and applicable principles of international treaties and customary law and the natural rights of people downstream of shared rivers, as well as the principle of good neighborliness in the fair use of water resources by the two nations.

Regarding the construction of new dams or dam filling in Afghanistan, he said that Tehran has repeatedly told the Afghan authorities that water resources cannot be carried out without respecting Iran's rights in accordance with the bilateral treaty.

The official stated that Tehran, in contact with the relevant Afghan authorities, has expressed its strong objection and concern regarding the "disproportionate restriction" of water entering Iran or the diversion of the natural course of the rivers that have been the origin and source of development and shaping the natural environmental landscape of both sides of the shared borders.

The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it is committed to ensuring Iran's rights in accordance with the 1973 treaty, but Iran must also consider the drought situation.

Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, has expressed concern over the investments made by Afghans in neighboring countries and the region, amounting to billions of dollars.

In an exclusive interview with Ariana News, Azizi revealed that his ministry is actively working to facilitate the return of Afghan investments from neighboring countries and the region back to Afghanistan.

He explained that discussions have already been initiated with several Afghan investors on this issue.

“I cannot provide exact figures, but Iran has previously stated that Afghans have invested nearly $9 billion in the country,” he said.

However, he was optimistic, adding, “By the grace of God, we have enacted laws that are gradually enabling immigrants, the private sector, and our entrepreneurs to invest within Afghanistan.”

Azizi also highlighted the ministry's efforts to support industrialists, mentioning that programs for land allocation and electricity supply are advancing quickly.

He announced that 150,000 acres of land would be distributed for economic activities to boost domestic industry.

Furthermore, the Acting Minister revealed that Afghanistan has successfully convinced Uzbekistan to invest in the country’s electricity sector.

While banking issues faced by Afghan traders in neighboring countries and the region have been resolved, Azizi acknowledged that challenges remain at the international level.

Azizi also stressed that the Ministry of Industry is working tirelessly to expand new export markets for Afghan products, aiming to reduce traders’ reliance on specific markets, particularly Pakistan.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the outgoing spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign ministry, on Thursday said Pakistan respected the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan.

In her last media briefing, Baloch outrightly rejected social media reports about any attack by the Pakistani armed forces inside Wakhan district of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan.

She said Pakistan desired friendly relations with all the neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, and a dialogue was ongoing between Islamabad and Kabul.

“We will continue dialogue with the Afghan government on all aspects of bilateral relations, including the border situation,” Baloch said while responding a question about reports of attacks by the Afghan security forces from across the Durand Line.

“Pakistan believes in diplomacy and will continue to engage the Afghan government.”

Asked about the air attacks conducted by the Pakistani forces along Pakistan-Afghanistan border late last month, she said Pakistani troops carried out attacks in the border area only to thwart any terror threat.

“Any terrorists trying to enter the Pakistani territory will be responded. Our forces are fully prepared to defend the sovereignty of our territory,” she stated.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are rooted in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), however, has rejected the claim saying Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan's "security failure."