Reacting to the blockage of Afghan fuel tankers by the Iranian government, Afghanistan announced on Tuesday January 18 that it cuts off trading with Iran.

The Chief Executive of Afghan Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Qurban Haqjoe said Afghan merchants have been agreed to cut off imports from Iran.

Haqjoe said Afghan government decides to supply Afghanistan’s fuel from Russia and Central Asian countries.

Afghanistan takes this decision at the time that Iran halts thousands of Afghan fuel tankers in border with Afghanistan, claiming that fuel would supply the United States force in Afghanistan.  The stranded Afghan fuel have increased the fuel price in Afghan markets and caused many problems for Afghan families during the harsh winter.  

Three days ago, thousands of furious Afghans in Kabul and western Herat province protested against the stoppage of Afghan fuel tankers by the Iranian government.

Furious Afghans burned up the pictures of Iranian president Ahmadinajid and its Religious leader Imam Khomeini. Protestors asked the government of Afghanistan should cut diplomatic ties with Iran and expel the Iranian envoy from Afghanistan.

Iranian officials, saddened by anti-Iran protests in Kabul and Herat, summoned the Afghan ambassador to Teheran on Saturday and submitted him an objection letter, which is asking the Afghan government to prevent anti-Iran protests.

In Kabul, the Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan, has been told to an Iranian newspaper that if Afghans continue to protest, Iran would “shift policy of Afghan transit way”.

Afghan Minister of Commerce, Anwar-Al-haq- Ahadi says that Afghan government was shocked by the Iranian act; therefore, Afghan government tries to import fuel from other countries.

However, Ahadi did not name the countries; but reportedly, Afghanistan agrees to buy fuel from Turkmenistan, Russian, Uzbekistan and Pakistan to solve its fuel needs.

On the other hand, Iranian officials refuse the claim, saying that Iran has a brotherhood and friendly relations with Afghanistan and Iran doesn’t want to harm Afghans in harsh winter of Afghanistan.   

Meanwhile, Afghan experts underlined the recent act of Iran a clear violation of International law, requesting the International community and United Nations to should discuss the topic Iran.

Experts say that Afghan government leading by President Hamid Karzai has no intend to discuss the topic with Iranian government and resolve the problem. They say President Karzai, as the elected president of Afghanistan has the responsibility to provide service to Afghan people and should defend the interests of Afghanistan.