Iran would be fencing its border with Afghanistan in order to prevent cross-border terrorism, a top commander of the Islamic Republic's Army confirmed on Friday.
"We intend to block our borders, and no one can object why we erect a fence near their border. This is not unjust to neighboring countries, as it is common practice in all countries," Kioumars Heydari, who serves as the chief of Iran's Ground Forces, said in Tehran.
Heydari's remarks came in the wake of Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid's recent statement in which he denounced Tehran's plans to create a security barrier alongside its border with Afghanistan.
"If such actions were taken when there was no security or there was war, there would be some justification. Now there is no need for such measures," Mujahid said earlier this month.
Iran has witnessed an influx of Afghan nationals into its territory in recent months after another neighbor Pakistan decided to expel the Islamic Emirate's citizens from its soil.
With Afghan citizens entering Iran through the porous frontier between the two countries, Kabul and Tehran recently held discussions over the situation at the border.
"The border officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the country of Iran held a coordination meeting on border issues and strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries in Bandar Islam Qala of Herat province," Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence stated this week.
*The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.