KABUL, Afghanistan — The Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Sunday said that Taliban chief minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund in a meeting with Abbas Araghchi in Kabul expressed their readiness to exchange intelligence and strengthen ties in various areas.
The ministry said that Akhund emphasized the importance of increased cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran and described collaboration as “necessary for enhancing border security and preventing malicious acts by terrorist elements.”
Araghchi, who led a political and economic delegation to Kabul on Sunday, held talks with several Taliban officials, including Akhund and Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid.
During the meeting, Akhund addressed Iran’s concerns over water rights from the Helmand River, describing them as a “religious, moral, and humanitarian obligation.” He stressed that the Taliban felt bound to honor Iran’s water rights even in the absence of a formal treaty.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Araghchi highlighted security as a shared concern between the two nations. He called for enhanced cooperation to combat terrorist groups and ensure the safety of all ethnic and sectarian communities in Afghanistan, with particular emphasis on Shia Muslims and Persian-speaking populations.
Araghchi also met with the Taliban’s defense minister, Yaqoob Mujahid. According to a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense, their discussions focused on economic cooperation and the expansion of bilateral relations.
