Iran Hands Over Hundreds Of Afghan Prisoners To Taliban

Iranian authorities have handed over 457 Afghan prisoners to Afghanistan over the past two days, amid deep concerns over the human rights record of the country’s Taliban rulers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban said that 189 prisoners were handed over at the Islam Qala-Dogharun border crossing in Herat on March 7.

The transfer of 268 Afghan prisoners took place the previous day.

The statement praised the moves, which follow a visit by the Taliban’s attorney-general to Iran, as "a positive step toward deepening and strengthening relations and cooperation" between Kabul and Tehran.

The developments come amid concerns over the Taliban's governance and human rights record and despite international pressure not to recognize the government in Kabul.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has recently handed over Afghanistan’s embassy in Tehran to the Taliban, triggering outrage among Afghans.

In the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021, Iran has taken a cautious approach toward the Afghanistan’s rulers.

Officially, Tehran will only recognize an "inclusive" government in Kabul that includes representatives from all Afghan ethnic groups and factions.