Taliban-Appointed Envoy Meets Head of Iran’s Islamic Azad University

Molavi Fazl Mohammad Haqqani, appointed by the Taliban administration as its ambassador to Tehran, recently met with Dr. Bijan Ranjbar, President of Iran’s Islamic Azad University.

According to the Taliban-run embassy in Tehran, the meeting focused on expanding scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries, challenges faced by Afghan students residing in Iran, and the current situation of the university’s Kabul campus.

Islamic Azad University is one of Iran’s largest private higher education institutions, with several branches abroad, including in Afghanistan. The Kabul campus has faced numerous challenges since the Taliban’s return to power.

Haqqani also visited Farhikhtegan Hospital, affiliated with the university, where he spoke with officials about healthcare services for Afghan students.

Analysts say the presence of Taliban affiliates at official academic and educational meetings abroad highlights a stark contradiction, as women and girls in Afghanistan remain barred from education under Taliban rule.