Taliban’s Sirajuddin Haqqani Meets Iranian Officials in Kabul Amid Tensions with Pakistan
Amid escalating tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan in recent days, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister, met with an Iranian diplomatic delegation in Kabul. The meeting took place on Thursday, 24 Mehr (October 16), and was attended by Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s interim ambassador to Afghanistan.
According to the Taliban administration, the main focus of the talks was to strengthen border cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan, and to promote regional security and stability. Both sides also emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue, constructive engagement, and cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
During the meeting, Haqqani stated that insecurity in the region benefits none of the neighboring countries, adding that the Taliban seeks respectful and reciprocal relations with countries in the region, especially its immediate neighbors. He said, “Just as we respect the sovereignty and position of others, we expect the same mutual respect in return.”
The Taliban administration’s emphasis on regional cooperation and addressing shared threats comes as many neighboring countries and international organizations continue to criticize the group’s shortcomings in areas such as human rights, economic management, and border control. In this context, the meeting could be seen as part of the Taliban’s broader efforts to gain legitimacy in regional affairs.
