KABUL, Afghanistan — Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s new acting head of mission in Afghanistan, emphasized deepening relations with the Taliban during a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, the Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.
According to the ministry, Mr. Bikdeli proposed the exchange of senior delegations between the two sides as a step toward enhancing bilateral ties.
He expressed hope that during his tenure, relations between Iran and Afghanistan would expand across various sectors.
Mr. Bikdeli, who assumed his post in Kabul last month, succeeds Hassan Kazemi Qomi as the acting head of the Iranian Embassy. Mr. Qomi, however, continues to serve as Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
Iran’s engagement with the Taliban reflects a broader trend among regional powers, including Russia and China, which have sought to strengthen their ties with the Taliban rule.
