Iran Doesn’t Allow Political Activities Against Taliban, Claims Group’s Media

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), under Taliban control, reported quoting Iran's Deputy Ambassador to Kabul, that the Iranian government does not allow anyone in Iran to engage in political activities against the Taliban.

As per the RTA, Seyyed Hassan Mortazavi, Iran’s Deputy Ambassador, made this statement during a meeting with Maulawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban.

It added that Mortazavi told Abdul Kabir that Iran is trying to create a positive interaction between regional countries and the Taliban.

According to the Taliban, the Iranian diplomat has also called for further expansion of relations between Kabul and Tehran.

Following the Taliban's takeover of power in Afghanistan, Iran was one of the first countries to strengthen its political and economic ties with the Taliban.

The Iranian government, shortly after the Taliban’s takeover, handed over the Afghan embassy to Taliban representatives in Tehran and subsequently strengthened its diplomatic and commercial relations with the group.

This Iranian official cited Iran's lack of support for the political activities of opponents, even though a source close to the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) told Afghanistan International on April 6 that Iranian police had arrested three members of the front on charges of joining ISIS.

On April 6, Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, Iran’s law enforcement forces spokesperson, said that they have apprehended "senior member and operational commander of ISIS" named "Mohammad Zakir" (known as Ramesh) and two other members of the group in Mahdasht city, Karaj.