LONDON: Iran restarted exports of gasoline and gasoil to Afghanistan a few days ago, following a request from the Taliban, Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union said on Monday.
The Sunni Muslim group seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops after a 20-year war.
The price of gasoline in Afghanistan reached $900 per ton last week as many panicked Afghans drove out of cities, fearing reprisals and a return to a harsh version of Islamic law the Taliban imposed when in power two decades ago.
To counter the price spike, the new Taliban government asked Shiite Iran to keep the borders open for traders.
“The Taliban sent messages to Iran saying ‘you can continue the exports of petroleum products’,” Hamid Hosseini, board member and spokesperson at the Iranian union in Tehran, told Reuters, adding that some Iranian traders had been cautious due to security concerns.
Iranian exports began a few days ago, after the Taliban cut tariffs on imports of fuel from Iran up to 70 percent, Hosseini added, showing an official document from Afghan Customs organization.
The main Iranian exports to Afghanistan are gasoline and gasoil. Iran exported about 400,000 tons of fuel to its neighbor from May 2020 to May 2021, according to a report published by PetroView, an Iranian oil and gas research and consultancy platform.
Iran resumes fuel exports to Afghanistan after Taliban request, union says
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Iran resumes fuel exports to Afghanistan after Taliban request, union says
- The price of gasoline in Afghanistan reached $900 per ton last week as many panicked Afghans drove out of cities
Israel approves upgrade to 4G mobile services to Palestinians in West Bank
- The ministry said the two Palestinian mobile operators — Jawwal and Ooredoo — and Swedish infrastructure firm Ericsson signed management agreements that were approved by Israel on Sunday
JERUSALEM: Israel has approved an upgrade to fourth-generation (4G) mobile services for Palestinians in the West Bank, the Israeli Communications Ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said the two Palestinian mobile operators — Jawwal and Ooredoo — and Swedish infrastructure firm Ericsson signed management agreements that were approved by Israel on Sunday.
Palestinian cellular providers launched high-speed data services in the occupied West Bank based on 3G in 2018, narrowing a technological gap with Israel after a lengthy Israeli ban on the operation of local 3G networks.
The ministry said its approval came as part of a 2022 framework deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority aimed at allowing 4G and 5G cellular technologies. The agreement was delayed by the Gaza war, according to Israeli media, which also said the process to upgrade to 4G would take up to six months.
The Palestinian providers compete with Israeli cellular firms, which operate faster on much faster 5G mobile frequencies.
Israel is in the process of shutting down older 2G and 3G technologies and has advised the public to equip themselves with devices that support 4G and 5G.
In Gaza, however, only 2G networks are available.
