Turkish Foreign Minister Visits Tehran Instead of Islamabad Amid Regional Tensions
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan unexpectedly traveled to Tehran on Sunday to meet with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, despite earlier expectations that he would visit Islamabad to help ease tensions between the Taliban administration and the Pakistani government.
At a joint press conference with Amir-Abdollahian, Fidan confirmed that strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad were discussed during the talks. However, he declined to provide further details. He only noted that Afghan-related issues, along with other key regional topics such as Israeli expansionism and nuclear negotiations, formed the core of his discussions with Iranian officials.
In the past, Turkey had played a key mediating role in trilateral talks involving Kabul, Ankara, and Islamabad. It hosted the second and third rounds of these negotiations, aiming to foster convergence among the parties.
Nevertheless, Fidan’s decision to visit Tehran instead of Islamabad has fueled speculation about Ankara’s diplomatic priorities concerning Afghanistan’s security crisis and border tensions. The move comes amid growing regional concern over escalating friction between the Taliban and Pakistan, a situation that—if left unresolved—could have broader consequences.
