Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri attended the 7th Russian Energy Week International Forum in Moscow on Friday, the ministry's spokesman Homayoun Afghan said.

Homayoun Afghan said in a post on X that Badri participated in this international forum, which was held in Moscow with the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, high-ranking officials of the energy sector of 55 countries, and many officials of huge energy, oil and gas companies.

In this forum, Badri met with the representatives of Trans-Oil Group, Gazprom, Ural Turbine and invited them to invest in Afghanistan's oil and gas.

On Wednesday, Hedayatullah Badri and his accompanying delegation left for Russia to attend this forum. They will stay in Moscow for three days from September 26 to 28.

Afghanistan's embassy in London closed on Friday, AFP reported.

Earlier this month, Zalmai Rassoul, the ambassador of the former Afghan government in London, announced that the embassy would close "at the official request of the host country" on September 27.

The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), however, denied that it was behind the closure.

"This decision was not made by the UK government," a spokesperson said. "The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff.

"We continue to support the people of Afghanistan and provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need."

Nearly two months ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) declared the consular services of Afghan missions in 14 Western countries including the UK to be invalid.

The statement cited corruption, lack of transparency and non-coordination with the ministry as reasons for the decision.

The United States judges the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) by what they do, not by what they say, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Jean-Pierre noted that the IEA wants international legitimacy, to be removed from sanction lists, and foreign financing to restart the Afghan economy.

“These aspirations require the Taliban (IEA) to live up to their commitments,” she said. “At minimum, Afghanistan cannot strengthen its economy unless women are able to participate in all aspect of society without limitations.”

The press secretary said that the United States will “continue to engage with the Taliban (IEA) on matters of our interest, for example, on respect for the rights of women and girls and the return of wrongfully detained U.S. citizens.”

The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that it has fulfilled its commitments in the Doha Agreement and that the rights of women and girls are ensured according to Sharia.

On the Americans detained in Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has said that it is ready to release them in exchange for the Afghans held by the US.