A ship at Chabahar Port (file photo, Press TV)
The Diplomat: On October 30, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that the United States had granted India a six-month extension to the sanctions waiver for operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port. Issued under the provisions of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA), the waiver allows India to continue developing and utilizing the port without attracting secondary U.S. sanctions. The decision comes amid New Delhi’s renewed efforts to strengthen connectivity with Afghanistan through the Chabahar route. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: A suspected suicide bomber was killed early Friday morning near a traditional buzkashi field in Kunduz City, according to Taliban police spokesman. Jumauddin Khaksar, spokesman for the Taliban police command in Kunduz, said the blast occurred at around 7:30 a.m. local time in the Shahrak-e Sar Darrah area of Police District 8. He said the attacker detonated explosives prematurely and died at the scene. No other casualties were reported. The Taliban, who now rule Afghanistan, have faced growing security challenges from extremist groups such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), which has carried out attacks targeting Taliban officials and civilians since their return to power in August 2021.
Amu: Afghanistan continued their strong form at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 tournament, securing a commanding 49-run win over South Africa to mark their second consecutive victory. This latest victory puts Afghanistan in a strong position in the group stage, having already beaten Nepal earlier in the day. They will now look to carry their momentum forward as they progress in the tournament. 
Amu: The third round of high-level talks between delegations from the Taliban and Pakistan began on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, multiple sources confirmed to Amu. Leading the negotiations are Abdul Haq Wasiq, the head of Taliban intelligence, and Asim Munir Malik, Pakistan’s intelligence chief. Other members of the Taliban delegation include Rahmatullah Najib, deputy interior minister; Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban figure; Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Taliban’s foreign ministry; Suhail Shaheen, head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha; and Zaker Jalali, deputy director of political affairs at the foreign ministry. According to sources, discussions will center on implementing agreements reached during the second round of talks, as well as unresolved issues such as the presence and activities of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and threats posed by the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K). 
Khaama: Afghanistan’s opium cultivation fell by 20% in 2025, but UNODC warned synthetic drug production and trafficking are rapidly expanding nationwide. Officials said organized crime groups are shifting to synthetics due to lower costs, easier concealment, and resistance to climate impacts. 
Khaama: The World Health Organization has warned of a growing measles outbreak in Afghanistan, urging parents to urgently vaccinate children under five nationwide. WHO noted that malnutrition and limited access to healthcare have worsened the outbreak, leaving many children vulnerable to preventable diseases like measles. 
Afghanistan International: Taliban forces barred women including female doctors from entering Herat Regional Hospital on Wednesday. The ban order was issued because they were not wearing the Taliban-mandated blue burqa, local sources told Afghanistan International. Witnesses said several women were beaten. 
Amu: Afghanistan’s national futsal team played to a 2–2 draw against Iran on Thursday in their second match at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. Earlier in the tournament, Afghanistan defeated Tajikistan 9–5 in their opening game.