Iran Never Allowed Its Airspace to Be Used Against Afghanistan, Says Acting Iranian Envoy in Kabul
Alireza Bikdeli, acting head of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassy in Kabul, stated that Tehran never permitted the United States or NATO to use its airspace or territory for attacks against Afghanistan during the war. He emphasized that without regional countries providing bases to the US and NATO, carrying out such attacks in the region would not have been possible.
In an interview with an Iranian media outlet, Bikdeli said that Iran did not allow its territory to be used against Afghanistan. He added that some countries that currently allow others to use their lands should understand that such cooperation can lead to conflicts.
He further noted that during the war, the Taliban administration and the people of Afghanistan stood alongside the Iranian people with a “brotherly” attitude. Since regaining power, the Taliban administration has continuously sought to expand its regional relations, a move critics view primarily as an effort to strengthen its political standing.
The acting Iranian envoy in Kabul also spoke about bilateral relations, stating that existing capacities and opportunities point to a bright future for expanding cooperation between Tehran and Kabul. According to him, over the past nearly four and a half years, with improved security conditions and the Taliban administration’s willingness to cooperate with Iran, economic ties between the two sides have made progress.
Previously, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Taliban administration, condemned joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran in a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; a stance seen as indicative of political closeness between Tehran and the Taliban administration amid recent regional developments.
