Afghanistan Times
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KABU – The Iranian anti-narcotics headquarters has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the United Nations in addressing the issue of poppy cultivation and drug production in Afghanistan. While Iran claims to be working towards peace, sustainable development, and security in the region, some remain skeptical about the country’s intentions.
Eskandar Momeni, the secretary general of the anti-narcotics headquarters, made this announcement during a meeting with Markus Potzel, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and the accompanying delegation, as reported by ISNA. Representatives from UNAMA offices in Iran, Afghanistan, and other regional countries, along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present at the meeting.
Iran has highlighted its cooperation with UN offices and joint efforts to combat narcotics. However, doubts persist about Iran’s true motivations.
Potzel, acknowledging Iran’s actions in various regional fields, particularly its efforts to combat drugs, asked for Iran’s contribution to the United Nations and its mission to combat narcotics effectively.
Iran has often been portrayed as the front line in the fight against drug trafficking due to its location on the European transit route for Afghan drugs. Iran bears a significant financial burden in tackling this issue, despite international claims of support. Iran claims to make a substantial number of drug discoveries worldwide, including opium, heroin, and morphine.
In the past Iranian calendar year (March 2022-March 2023), approximately 716 tons of narcotics were discovered and seized. Iran claims to have reduced the flow of narcotics into the country by about 15 percent over the past four years.
The dismantling of the financial foundations of drug traffickers has reportedly become more effective in recent years, leading to a 15 percent decrease in drug entries into Iran.
Iran attributes the surge in drug production in Afghanistan to events that occurred about 20 years ago, following the NATO and U.S. occupation of the country. This occupation, according to Iranian claims, led to a significant increase in drug smuggling.
In May, Eskandar Momeni announced that Iran had dismantled some 1,700 regional and international drug gangs in 2022, suggesting active efforts in combating the drug trade.
Momeni also signed a memorandum of understanding with Ghada Fathi Waly, the director general of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), during the 66th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna from March 13-17. This collaboration raises questions about Iran’s role in international efforts to combat narcotics.
