Taliban Spokesperson Calls Ties With Iran Strong, Rejects U.S. Claims On Weapons

The Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, has described the group’s relations with Iran as strong. He stated that the Taliban seeks closer cooperation with Tehran and considers Iran an important country.

In an interview with IRAF, Mujahid was asked about the Taliban’s stance on relations with the U.S. and Iran. He responded that Iran is a neighbouring country with many shared interests, while the U.S. was an occupying force that harmed Afghanistan for 20 years. He insisted that comparing Iran and the U.S. was not up for discussion. He also said that the recent visit of Iran’s Foreign Minister to Kabul reflects the close ties between the Taliban and Tehran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, recently travelled to Kabul and met with Taliban leaders. Their discussions covered border security, water disputes, countering ISIS, economic cooperation, drug trafficking, and mutual threats. During his visit, Araghchi stated that a new chapter in Iran-Taliban relations had begun.

Mujahid also addressed Washington’s decision to retrieve American weapons left in Afghanistan. He declared that no one can take the Taliban’s weapons. He warned that if any attempt were made, the Taliban would defend Afghanistan and itself.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to retrieve American military equipment from the Taliban. He also claimed that the Bagram airbase is now controlled by China. Mujahid denied this, stating that no foreign troops are in Afghanistan. He accused Trump of mixing political and economic issues.

He further stated that pressure and coercion will not succeed, arguing that 20 years of war had already proven this.

Pakistan has backed Washington’s decision to retrieve weapons from the Taliban. The Pakistani Defence Minister claimed that advanced U.S. weaponry left in Afghanistan is now being used by terrorists.

Mujahid once again claimed that ISIS militants have established safe havens in Pakistan. He insisted that the Taliban has suppressed ISIS in Afghanistan, forcing them to flee and take refuge in Pakistan.

He downplayed ISIS’s presence in Afghanistan, saying its operations are minimal and deceptive. He also accused some countries of exaggerating ISIS’s influence for propaganda purposes.

Mujahid responded to Pakistan’s allegations that Afghanistan is being used as a base for attacks against Pakistan. While he did not outright deny the claims, he said Pakistan should strengthen its own borders.

Discussing border disputes, Mujahid said the recognition of the Durand Line should be decided by the people on both sides. He stated that when the time is right, the people will make their decision.

Pakistan considers the Durand Line an official international border, while the Taliban, like previous Afghan governments, has refused to formally recognise it. Mujahid claimed that the British were responsible for dividing the people along the border.