WANA (Oct 17) – The Taliban announced that Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has expressed Iran’s readiness to help ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

 

Bahrami met with two senior Afghan officials: Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s Interior Minister, and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Taliban Minister of Migrants.

 

In his meeting with Interior Minister Haqqani, Bahrami discussed regional security developments affecting the entire region, border cooperation, and joint efforts to combat drug trafficking.

 

He emphasized Iran’s stance on the interconnectedness of regional security and the need for neighboring countries to safeguard peace and stability through good-neighborly relations and respect for territorial integrity and national sovereignty. He also voiced concern over attempts by certain external actors to exploit the current situation to destabilize the region.

 

Interior Minister Haqqani reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with neighboring countries based on mutual respect.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Taliban Minister of Migrants, and Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Taliban Minister of Migrants, and Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Social media/ WANA News Agency

He warned that escalating tensions would harm the collective interests of regional populations and expressed appreciation for Iran’s efforts to prevent such escalations.

 

Separately, during his meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Bahrami reiterated Iran’s willingness to mediate disputes between Islamabad and Kabul. The discussions also covered migration issues and recent regional developments.

 

According to the Taliban statement, Iran plans to issue 200,000 work visas for Afghan citizens, and Iranian officials may visit Kabul to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties.

 

Abdul Kabir indicated that a plan would be submitted to Tehran addressing the challenges faced by returning Afghan citizens.

 

The announcement comes amid deadly border clashes in the past week between Taliban forces and Pakistani security personnel, resulting in at least 37 deaths and 425 injuries, according to a United Nations relief team. Taliban sources stated that a delegation would travel to Doha to negotiate an end to the violence.

 

Meanwhile, Iran has recently resumed large-scale deportations of Afghan migrants. The Taliban’s Refugee Commission reports that between 500 and 1,000 Afghan citizens are being expelled from Iran daily.

WANA - Afghan Migrants (3)

Afghan Migrants. Social media/ WANA News Agency