Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the need for dialogue and understanding between Taliban and Pakistan in a phone call with Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, offering Iran’s support in helping resolve the ongoing tensions between the two sides.
According to a statement from the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to play a “constructive role” in facilitating discussions between “Kabul and Islamabad” amid rising cross-border hostilities and a breakdown in formal talks.
Ahead of the call, the Iranian foreign minister spoke on phone with is Pakistani counterpart, calling for continuation of dialogue between the Taliban and Pakistan.
The call came just days after the third round of negotiations between senior Pakistani and Taliban delegations ended without a breakthrough in Istanbul. The talks, brokered by Turkey and Qatar, were aimed at easing military tensions following several armed clashes along the Durand Line and Islamabad’s accusations that the Taliban have allowed the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan territory — a charge the Taliban deny.
In the phone call, Muttaqi said the Taliban delegation had joined the Istanbul negotiations “with good faith” and under a special mandate from their leadership, but accused the Pakistani side of failing to accept responsibility for its role in the crisis. As a result, he said, the third round produced “no tangible outcome.”
Muttaqi reiterated the Taliban’s position that issues between the two sides must be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue, not military threats. His comments follow remarks by Pakistan’s defense minister, who warned that if the Istanbul talks failed, Islamabad would consider military action as a last resort.
Iran’s outreach comes as multiple regional players — including Turkey, Qatar, and now Tehran — attempt to mediate the growing rift between the Taliban authorities in Kabul and Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership.
