The Institute for East Strategic Studies (IESS), affiliated with Khorasan Daneshvaran Company, hosted a meeting attended by a number of former officials, members of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, and experts of Afghanistan affairs to examine the obstacles to trade and transit between Iran and Afghanistan.

The Dogharoon Customs Crossing, as the most important commercial gateway between Iran and Afghanistan, plays a strategic role in achieving major economic objectives, expanding oil and non-oil exports, and strengthening Iran’s position within regional transport corridors. Despite its significant importance and the vision outlined by the authorities of both countries to increase trade volumes, it appears that numerous obstacles continue to hinder this border crossing from reaching its optimal position. In order to multiply current trade volumes and fully realize the potential of this important border customs facility, it is essential to remove these obstacles and provide the necessary conditions and infrastructure. Achieving these objectives inevitably requires greater attention from responsible authorities at both national and provincial levels.

On July 11, 2026, the Afghanistan Working Group of the IESS hosted a roundtable attended by former executive officials, the Chairman of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, and a number of experts. The purpose of the meeting was to take a step toward identifying the roots of existing challenges and helping to develop realistic and implementable solutions through expert discussion.

During the meeting, Mohammad Sedighi-Far, a member of the Scientific Council of the IESS and former Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Herat; Mahmoud Siadat, Chairman of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce; Jamshid Alipour, CEO of Paybar Company and an investor in the Dogharoon Terminal; and Din Mohammad Faiz Mohammadi, Chairman of the Transit Committee of the Khorasan Razavi Association of International Transport Companies, delivered presentations respectively on:

⚫️Opportunities and Challenges Facing Iran in Expanding Trade Relations with Afghanistan;
⚫️Obstacles and Solutions for Achieving $10 billion trade in Trade Between Iran and Afghanistan;
⚫️The Capacities of Dogharoon to Become an Efficient Free Trade Zone in Light of Existing Challenges; and
⚫️Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Development of Transit in Eastern Iran.