Taliban, Iran exchange heavy gunfire on Afghan border; water rights issue escalates
File photo.
The Taliban and Iranian forces exchanged heavy gunfire on the Afghan border on Saturday (May 27), killing and wounding troops,escalating tensionbetween Kabul and Tehran amid a dispute over water rights. According to the IRNA news agency, Iran's Deputy Police Chief Gen. Qassem Rezaei accused the Taliban of opening fire on the border of Iran's Sistan and Balochistan provinces and the Afghan province of Nimroz. Citing Iranian police, the IRNA said that two border guards were killed.
The agency further added the Milak border crossing with Afghanistan, a major trade route, was closed until further notice.
ALSO READ | Iran's water right issue: Tehran gives Afghanistan one month to resolve problem, says report
Iran’s police chief Gen. Ahmadreza Radan warned that Iran's border forces would decisively respond to any border trespassing and aggression and that "current authorities of Afghanistan" must be held accountable for their unmeasured and contrary actions to international principles.
Afghanistan accuses Iran of shooting first
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
'Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Sajeeb Wazed raises Indian security concerns, calls Bangladesh a 'failed state'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Trump administration refunds $100 billion in tariffs after Supreme Court ruling
)
‘Pakistan called for ceasefire, we kept them waiting’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan recalls Operation Sindoor
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
India deploys joint outbreak response team as Chandipura virus spreads in Gujarat, Rajasthan
)
Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe
)
Pentagon draws up new nuclear strategy in the event of war with Russia and China
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
)
Several Indian states ban analogue paneer: Experts explain what it is and the health risks | WION Decodes
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
UP gangster Atiq Ahmed's son, on way to meet jailed brother, killed in road accident in Jhansi
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
)
'Time to step away': Cambridge's youngest Black professor resigns amid plagiarism row - What we know
)
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
The Taliban-led Afghanistan administration accused Iran of shooting first. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Nafi Takor said Saturday's fighting killed two people, one each from Afghanistan and Iran, and wounded others. Afghan Defence Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khawarazmi said that the Taliban considered dialogue to be a reasonable way for any problem, adding, "Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties."
Saturday's fighting comes after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier this month warned Afghanistan not to violate Tehran's water rights to the Helmand River.
The right to water from the river recently became a controversial issue between the two countries.
Raisi said the Taliban should ensure that Tehran's water rights of the river were based on international treaties. On Thursday, President Raisi said that the Taliban should immediately provide Iran with its share of water.
Earlier on Saturday, the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights. The news agency IRNA acknowledged the meeting saying “that issues between the two countries will be better resolved through dialogue.”
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.