Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it will continue expanding relations with the Taliban regardless of whether Tehran formally recognizes their rule, describing recognition as a separate political and legal process.
The comments come as Iran maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with the Taliban while stopping short of officially recognizing their rule.
Speaking at a news conference, Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said bilateral cooperation would continue while Tehran considers the question of recognition.
“Recognition is a political and legal process,” Baghaei said. “Whenever we reach a conclusion, we will take that step. But cooperation between the two countries, particularly in consular affairs and economic and trade relations, will not wait for that issue.”
Iran has become one of the Taliban’s most important regional partners since they returned to power in 2021, expanding cooperation on trade, border security and regional issues while hosting Taliban officials for regular diplomatic meetings.
The question of formal recognition, however, remains unresolved.
The debate resurfaced this week after Iran’s Jomhouri-e Eslami newspaper sharply criticized what it described as a possible move toward recognizing the Taliban.
In an editorial published on its front page, the newspaper referred to the Taliban as a “self-proclaimed,” “racist” and “terrorist” government and argued that Iranian officials should not sacrifice Iran’s credibility by recognizing authorities it accused of committing abuses against civilians and restricting the rights of women.
“Iran has always stood with the people of Afghanistan,” the newspaper wrote. “The country’s diplomats should not sacrifice the Afghan people for an anti-law and anti-women government.”
The editorial reflects criticism within parts of Iran’s political establishment but does not represent official government policy.
Meanwhile, Tehran and the Taliban continue to deepen practical cooperation.
Iran’s embassy in Kabul said Vahid Jalalzadeh, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for consular affairs, met with the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, during a visit to Kabul this week. According to both sides, the talks focused on expanding consular services, economic cooperation and political relations.
Iran has also maintained contacts with some opponents of the Taliban, preserving communication with different Afghan political groups even as it has expanded engagement with the Taliban.
Earlier this year, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Kabul, where he said regional and international developments required Iran to maintain close engagement with the Taliban.
Taliban have repeatedly called for broader political and economic relations with Iran, while Tehran has continued to deepen practical cooperation without formally recognizing the Taliban rule.
