Iran & Taliban Discuss Regional Cooperation, Host Joint Meeting On Afghan Affairs

Wednesday, 01/10/2024

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, stated that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's Foreign Minister welcomed Iran's proposal for forming a regional contact group on Afghanistan.

According to Qomi, Muttaqi expressed willingness to host a joint meeting of special representatives from regional countries in Kabul.

The Iranian Embassy in Kabul announced this development on Tuesday. After participating in the Moscow Format regional meeting, Qomi had mentioned that parties considered Iran's suggestion for enhancing regional cooperation on Afghanistan through a contact group.

Later, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul reported that Qomi met with J.P. Singh, an official from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, who also supported the formation of the contact group.

However, Iran has yet to successfully establish this group and has not provided details on its mechanism. Iran hopes this group will encourage more coordinated regional involvement in Afghan affairs and with the Taliban.

During his meeting with Muttaqi, Qomi reaffirmed Iran's readiness to expand cooperation and assist the Afghan people. They also discussed mutual support for Palestine.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul stated that the Taliban's Foreign Minister reiterated his condemnation of the recent Kerman attack, describing it as a "savage and seditious act" and a "shared pain" for both nations.

While condemning the Kerman attack, the Taliban has refrained from labelling it as a terrorist act. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in Kerman, where two suicide bombers detonated explosives.

Although the Taliban condemns ISIS for organizing suicide attacks, the group itself has carried out deadly suicide missions in Afghanistan over the past two decades. Taliban officials have even mobilized special suicide units within their military ranks since gaining control of Afghanistan.

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