3 killed in border clashes between Iranian forces and Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two Iranian border guards and a Taliban fighter were killed after an exchange of fire at the border.

Clashes had erupted between the two countries on May 27, reportedly over water rights.

Residents of Afghanistan’s border province of Nimroz claimed that the clashes erupted after the Iranian military opened fire.

The Taliban-controlled government’s Defense Ministry blamed Iranian soldiers for firing on its forces in the border area of Kang district in Nimroz province.

The ministry said on Twitter that it was in neither side’s interest to find excuses to start a war and take negative action.

Residents called on the two sides to resolve the existing problems through negotiations.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that two Iranian guards were killed and two civilians wounded in the clashes.

Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, assistant to Iran’s foreign minister, said any dispute hurts both sides.

Afghan broadcaster Tolo News TV quoted residents calling on both sides to find peaceful solutions to the problems.