Iran army chief warns neighboring states against violating intl law

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Website
28 May 2023 16:20

Senior Iranian military officials affirm that the Iranian-Afghani borders are fully under the army's control ensuring security along the border region.

Iranian troops march during a parade marking National Army Day on April 18, 2019 (AP)

Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari of the Iranian Army and Iranian Police Deputy Commander General Qassem Rezaei traveled to the province of Sistan and Baluchestan, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan.

General Haidari affirmed that the Iranian borders are fully under the army's control, ensuring security along the border region.

The borders have witnessed incursions perpetrated by the incumbent regime in Afghanistan, Rezaei said, referring to the fire-exchange skirmish that took place on Saturday.

Neighboring countries must know that the shared borders should be borders of friendship and that mistakes should be avoided, he added.

Gunfire and shells were heard on Saturday at the Afghan-Iranian borders, where a water dispute has been ongoing for several months between the two parties.

No casualties were reported by the Iranian police. Reports did, however, say that a wide range of weapons and ammo were employed in the altercations.

"Around 10:00 am today, Taliban forces started shooting with all kinds of weapons at an Iranian police station from the Afghanistan side," state news agency IRNA quoted the deputy head of the police force, Qassem Rezaee, as saying.

Tasnim news agency reported that "light and semi-light weapons and artillery were used in the clashes."

According to Rezaee, Iranian law enforcement responded "decisively" to the shooting that occurred in Sistan-Baluchistan, adding that the police chief issued the order for border guards to "bravely and resolutely defend the borders and not allow anyone to trespass or approach the borders."