Iranian media reports say Iran has started building border wall across eastern borders.

Tabnak reported yesterday that the initiative aims at preventing fuel and food smuggling and drugs trafficking, adding that it also seeks to counter illegal immigration.

Citing the commander of the Islamic Republic’s Border Guard Police, Brigadier General Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, IRNA and Nournews say the construction of the border walls has already kicked off in southern Sistan and Baluchestan and in Khorasan Razavi provinces.

General Goudarzi noted that the next phase will extend to Ilam, Kurdistan, and West Azerbaijan provinces all situated in western frontiers of the country, according to Nournews.

He was quoted as saying that the priority of this project is securing the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to IRNA, General Goudarzi noted, “Based on security and military assessments, the most critical areas are the borderlines with Pakistan and Afghanistan, which account for 80% of drug trafficking into Iran.”

General Goudarzi reportedly said  that funding for the project has been secured, and the focus is now on equipping construction sites.