Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called for the unconditional release of the country’s frozen assets at a special Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, and stressed the need to support efforts to improve Afghanistan’s economic situation, saying: Obstacles that hinder economic stability in Afghanistan must be removed, and humanitarian aid must remain impartial and free from politicization.
Publish dateWednesday 10 June 2026 - 08:51
Story Code : 357308
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): According to IRNA, Amir Saeed Iravani gave a detailed speech on Monday local time at the UN Security Council meeting dedicated to the issue of Afghanistan, explaining the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positions on developments in the country.
At the beginning of his speech, referring to the recent report of the UN Secretary-General, Iravani said: “This report points to some areas of relative economic stability and the efforts of the Afghan Trusteeship to maintain the country’s governance and advance economic activities, which deserve attention.”
However, he stressed that Afghanistan continues to face complex challenges, including the deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation, restrictions imposed on women and girls, and the ongoing threat from terrorist groups.
Deteriorating Humanitarian and Economic Conditions
In the first of five main points of his speech, the Iranian ambassador to the UN expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions in Afghanistan, citing the Secretary-General’s report: “In 2026, some 21.9 million people – equivalent to approximately 45 percent of the population – will require humanitarian assistance.”
Warning against a severe budget shortfall, he stated: “As of April 30, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026 remains significantly underfunded, with only 14 percent of the $1.7 billion required funded.”
Iravani called on the international community and donors to provide the necessary, predictable, and flexible financial resources to continue life-saving humanitarian operations.
He emphasized in a firm tone: “Efforts to improve the economic situation must be supported, frozen assets must be released unconditionally, and obstacles that hinder economic stability must be removed. Humanitarian aid must remain impartial and free from politicization.”
The necessity of international engagement and the Doha Process
In the second theme of his speech, the Iranian Permanent Representative called continued international engagement with the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan essential to advance stability and address challenges, and said: “The Secretary-General’s report emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach based on principled and pragmatic engagement. Constructive dialogue is essential to address humanitarian, economic, counternarcotics, and governance issues.”
In this context, he considered the Doha Process an important platform for practical cooperation and announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran has actively participated in the counternarcotics and private sector working groups within the framework of this process.
Iravani also welcomed the significant reduction in opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan as an important achievement with positive global consequences, but warned: “Its economic consequences for rural communities remain severe. Without sustainable investment in alternative livelihoods, rural development, and access to markets, these gains will not be sustainable.”
He also expressed concern about the expansion of industrial drug production and trafficking, calling it a need for international cooperation to combat it.
Deprivation of women and ethnic rights
In the third area, the Iranian ambassador called the deprivation of Afghan women and girls of their fundamental rights a matter of deep concern, stating: “Restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement, and participation in public life not only undermine human dignity, but also hinder Afghanistan’s long-term development and economic recovery.”
Stressing that these measures are also incompatible with the true teachings of Islam, he called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to lift these restrictions and ensure that women and girls enjoy their rights, including access to education and employment.
Irvani also recalled Afghanistan’s historical status and said: “Afghanistan is an inseparable part of the region and the rich and ancient Persian civilization, and it is essential that the rights, identity, and cultural heritage of all ethnic groups and national communities in Afghanistan be fully respected and protected.”
Security Situation and Concerns Over Terrorism
The Permanent Representative of Iran to the Fourth Axis called the security situation in Afghanistan a matter of serious concern and, referring to the threat of ISIS Khorasan Branch, emphasized: “Afghanistan must never become a safe haven for terrorism, and its soil must not be used to threaten or undermine the security of other countries, especially neighboring countries.”
He also expressed concern over the recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcomed regional efforts to promote dialogue, confidence-building, and sustainable stability between the two countries.
Supporting the Secretary-General’s call for restraint, Irvani encouraged the parties to peacefully resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
The responsibility of neighboring countries and the role of UNAMA
In the fifth and final theme of his speech, the Iranian ambassador emphasized the need for regional cooperation mechanisms, recalling the disproportionate share of neighboring countries in the consequences of the situation in Afghanistan. He said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, with its long border with Afghanistan, has hosted millions of Afghan citizens for more than four decades and has provided them with access to education, health services and other basic services."
He called on the international community to provide greater support to countries hosting Afghan refugees and migrants.
Iravani concluded by saying, Qesh called UNAMA vital and indispensable, and appreciated the extension of its mandate and China’s efforts as the custodian of the Afghanistan file in the Security Council to draft a resolution to extend the UNAMA mandate. He announced that Iran supports the acceleration of the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, taking into account the views of the Afghan authorities, adding: “The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to close cooperation with the United Nations, neighboring countries, regional organizations and all relevant stakeholders towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.”
At the beginning of his speech, referring to the recent report of the UN Secretary-General, Iravani said: “This report points to some areas of relative economic stability and the efforts of the Afghan Trusteeship to maintain the country’s governance and advance economic activities, which deserve attention.”
However, he stressed that Afghanistan continues to face complex challenges, including the deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation, restrictions imposed on women and girls, and the ongoing threat from terrorist groups.
Deteriorating Humanitarian and Economic Conditions
In the first of five main points of his speech, the Iranian ambassador to the UN expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions in Afghanistan, citing the Secretary-General’s report: “In 2026, some 21.9 million people – equivalent to approximately 45 percent of the population – will require humanitarian assistance.”
Warning against a severe budget shortfall, he stated: “As of April 30, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026 remains significantly underfunded, with only 14 percent of the $1.7 billion required funded.”
Iravani called on the international community and donors to provide the necessary, predictable, and flexible financial resources to continue life-saving humanitarian operations.
He emphasized in a firm tone: “Efforts to improve the economic situation must be supported, frozen assets must be released unconditionally, and obstacles that hinder economic stability must be removed. Humanitarian aid must remain impartial and free from politicization.”
The necessity of international engagement and the Doha Process
In the second theme of his speech, the Iranian Permanent Representative called continued international engagement with the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan essential to advance stability and address challenges, and said: “The Secretary-General’s report emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach based on principled and pragmatic engagement. Constructive dialogue is essential to address humanitarian, economic, counternarcotics, and governance issues.”
In this context, he considered the Doha Process an important platform for practical cooperation and announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran has actively participated in the counternarcotics and private sector working groups within the framework of this process.
Iravani also welcomed the significant reduction in opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan as an important achievement with positive global consequences, but warned: “Its economic consequences for rural communities remain severe. Without sustainable investment in alternative livelihoods, rural development, and access to markets, these gains will not be sustainable.”
He also expressed concern about the expansion of industrial drug production and trafficking, calling it a need for international cooperation to combat it.
Deprivation of women and ethnic rights
In the third area, the Iranian ambassador called the deprivation of Afghan women and girls of their fundamental rights a matter of deep concern, stating: “Restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement, and participation in public life not only undermine human dignity, but also hinder Afghanistan’s long-term development and economic recovery.”
Stressing that these measures are also incompatible with the true teachings of Islam, he called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to lift these restrictions and ensure that women and girls enjoy their rights, including access to education and employment.
Irvani also recalled Afghanistan’s historical status and said: “Afghanistan is an inseparable part of the region and the rich and ancient Persian civilization, and it is essential that the rights, identity, and cultural heritage of all ethnic groups and national communities in Afghanistan be fully respected and protected.”
Security Situation and Concerns Over Terrorism
The Permanent Representative of Iran to the Fourth Axis called the security situation in Afghanistan a matter of serious concern and, referring to the threat of ISIS Khorasan Branch, emphasized: “Afghanistan must never become a safe haven for terrorism, and its soil must not be used to threaten or undermine the security of other countries, especially neighboring countries.”
He also expressed concern over the recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcomed regional efforts to promote dialogue, confidence-building, and sustainable stability between the two countries.
Supporting the Secretary-General’s call for restraint, Irvani encouraged the parties to peacefully resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
The responsibility of neighboring countries and the role of UNAMA
In the fifth and final theme of his speech, the Iranian ambassador emphasized the need for regional cooperation mechanisms, recalling the disproportionate share of neighboring countries in the consequences of the situation in Afghanistan. He said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, with its long border with Afghanistan, has hosted millions of Afghan citizens for more than four decades and has provided them with access to education, health services and other basic services."
He called on the international community to provide greater support to countries hosting Afghan refugees and migrants.
Iravani concluded by saying, Qesh called UNAMA vital and indispensable, and appreciated the extension of its mandate and China’s efforts as the custodian of the Afghanistan file in the Security Council to draft a resolution to extend the UNAMA mandate. He announced that Iran supports the acceleration of the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, taking into account the views of the Afghan authorities, adding: “The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to close cooperation with the United Nations, neighboring countries, regional organizations and all relevant stakeholders towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.”
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