Iran Expands Influence
HERAT, Afghanistan (AP) – From cheap ice cream to 24-hour electricity, Iran is strengthening economic ties with western Afghanistan that could undermine support for U.S. and NATO forces.
Western Afghanistan has a newly paved 120-kilometre stretch of highway between the Iranian border and its main city, Herat, courtesy of the Islamic republic. Iran is also considering building a rail line on the busy route and has pledged the equivalent of another C$640 million to help rebuild Afghan infrastructure and businesses.
“Iran is not going away from here,” a Herat-based western diplomat said.
“The question is whether we can co-exist in this region together and realize that some of our aims might even be the same when it comes to Afghanistan.”
Tehran has built 10 schools and several clinics in western Afghanistan, and paid for the equipment to provide electricity 24 hours a day in Herat, unlike in most other parts of the country, including the capital Kabul.
Iranian influence dates back to ancient times and, while dependent on U.S. military and financial support, the Afghan government tries not to antagonize Iran, which currently houses about two million Afghan refugees.
“Our hope is for Afghanistan to be peaceful and stable because that would be good for the region,” said an Iranian diplomat in Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Everyone wants a stable neighbour.”
If Iran and the United States are at odds, Defence Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said, “we will stay out of it.”
Local political analyst Mohammed Rafiq Shaeir said Iran wants greater influence in western Afghanistan to promote its own national interests, both security and economic.
“The people of Herat have doubts about why Iran is putting so much attention into this area but they still recognize that it is good for our own national interests and security in the region to have friendly relations with Iran,” Shaeir said.
Saeed Laylaz, a prominent political analyst in Tehran, said Iran is investing in Afghanistan chiefly for its own national interests, rather than to counter western influence.
“Regardless of presence of the NATO forces there, Iran has been always suffering from lack of stability in Afghanistan,” Laylaz said in a phone interview.
“An unstable Afghanistan would cause difficulties for Iran.”
For many people in historic Herat, famous for its mosques and minarets, Iran’s largesse is a mixed blessing.
Shopkeeper Mohammed Aref said low-price Iranian ice cream harms local producers, which make products of the same quality that are, however, more expensive.
“I cannot compete with them,” said Zamarai Qhousi, who owns a marble works, plastic utensils factory and foodstuffs packaging plant in Herat’s Industrial Park.
“Iranian producers are state-subsidized and people go for cheaper goods.”
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