HERAT CITY – The existing border disputed between Afghanistanlink> and Iran would be taken to the UN,an official in western Herat province said on Wednesday.

Border and Tribal Affairs Director Nazir Ahmad Haidarzada told PajhwokAfghan News the dispute was over two areas on the border between the twocountries.

He accused the Iranian government of establishing bazaars at the zero pointduring the civil war to facilitate communities living on the border.

But the bazaars of Islam Qala and Kalata Nazar were shut by the governmentin 2011. He said Iran claimed the ownership of the two bazaars.

“If Iran claims the ownership of these two bazaars, we will refer the issueto the UN for a settlement,” the official warned, saying a joint delegationhad reviewed the claims.

However, the director said, representatives of the neighbouring countrieshad differences on the issue. If not resolved bilaterally, the tiff wouldbe taken to the UN, he added.

Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Khasan district who lives near the border,said Iran had initially set up small bazaars to provide the people withgoods, fuel and other items.

But the neighbouring country, in violation of its commitments, continuedoccupying more Afghan territory in Islam Qala.

Haji Ghulam Siddique, 63, another resident, said: “The Iranians offered toprovide food and other necessary items for Afghans. They brought theircontainers here.

“They exploited the opportunity they were given by the Afghan governmentof that time and captured our territory,” he alleged.

Ghulam Habib Hashami, a provincial council member, suggested the issueshould be resolved through diplomatic channels. If that option failed, thedispute should be referred to the UN.

Jilani Farhad, the governor spokesman, told Pajhwok a delegation comprisedof representatives from different departments, had been tasked withaddressing the issue through diplomatic channels.

Officials of the Iranian consulate in Herat City, the provincial capital,refused to comment on the issue.