Iran Signals Willingness to Mediate Amidst Escalating Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, expressed deep concerns over the recent tensions with Afghanistan during his visit to Pakistan, stating that Tehran is ready to take any action to reduce the differences and help resolve the crisis…

Tehran’s Deep Concerns Over Regional Security Crisis

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, publicly expressed Tehran’s deep concerns over the escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan during his visit to Pakistan. In talks with reporters, he stated that Iran is willing to take any action to help reduce the differences and assist in resolving the crisis between the two neighboring countries. Larijani emphasized the nature of the threat, stating that terrorism is a public and cross-border challenge that can only be dealt with through collective and coordinated efforts. He also announced Iran’s official readiness to Pakistani officials to provide any necessary assistance to help Islamabad out of the current crisis.

Proposal for Regional Meeting Following Previous Negotiation Failures

These remarks follow Iran’s previous proposal for direct mediation between Kabul and Islamabad and holding a regional meeting to reduce tensions and ensure the implementation of commitments by both parties. The current tensions between the Taliban of Afghanistan and Pakistan began about two months ago following the Pakistani army’s airstrikes on Kabul and Paktika regions, which led to a strong response from Taliban officials, bringing the relations between the two countries to a critical and risky stage. It is worth noting that previously, three rounds of negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey to reduce differences had been held, all of which remained fruitless. One of the main unresolved issues is controlling the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which continues to remain a threatening factor in the relations between the two countries. Given the failure of previous talks and the increase in border clashes, Iran’s new initiative for holding a regional meeting could present a fresh and vital opportunity to bring both sides back to the negotiating table and reduce the existing tensions.