Iran has removed Hassan Kazemi Qomi from his dual roles as special envoy and ambassador to Afghanistan, according to Iranian media reports on Sunday.
In a decree issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Alireza Bigdeli, the former deputy for consular affairs at the Foreign Ministry, has been appointed as the new head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul.
Restructuring the role
Reports indicate that Iran has eliminated the position of special presidential envoy for Afghanistan. Under the new structure, Iran’s envoy to Afghanistan will now operate under the direct oversight of the Foreign Ministry.
Kazemi Qomi was appointed ambassador to Kabul in December 2022 and also served as the special representative of the Iranian president for Afghan affairs. During his tenure, he spearheaded Iran’s policy of engagement with the Taliban and emphasized regional initiatives to address Afghanistan’s challenges.
The removal of Kazemi Qomi aligns with a broader trend in regional diplomacy. Earlier, Pakistan also abolished its special envoy position for Afghanistan, signaling a shift in how neighboring countries are managing their relationships with the Taliban-led government.
Kazemi Qomi previously served as Iran’s ambassador to Iraq. In 2007, U.S. General David Petraeus alleged that Kazemi Qomi was a member of the Quds Force, the elite unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
