ISLAMABAD: Iran will convene a regional meeting on Afghanistan in mid-December to address escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh announced Monday.
The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that the meeting will include Afghanistan's neighboring countries along with Russia and China, as bilateral relations between Islamabad and Kabul have reached their lowest point following recent border clashes.
"We are working on establishing a contact group on Afghanistan, which will include all of Afghanistan's neighboring countries, as well as a number of other countries, including Russia and China," an Iranian diplomat told the Russian News Agency RIA Novosti, according to ISNA.
The diplomat outlined the meeting's scope: "The agenda of the meeting will include very important regional issues, including how to help Afghanistan and maintain stability through regional mechanisms." Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran has taken "effective steps" in recent days regarding the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute.
Pakistan has welcomed Iran's mediation efforts. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated, "Iran is a brotherly, friendly country. Pakistan is always in favor of finding peaceful resolutions of issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and we appreciate the offer of mediation of our brotherly country, Iran."
"We believe that Iran can play an important role. We would not shy away from any mediatory role by Iran. Mediations are always welcome," Andrabi added, asserting that Pakistan had a "very strong case.
"Despite ongoing tensions, mediation efforts by Qatar and Türkiye have facilitated bilateral talks in Doha and Istanbul, leading to a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has offered assistance in resolving remaining differences and de-escalating tensions. Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Araghchi held discussions calling for continued dialogue between the parties.
"Both sides called for continued dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve differences by political and diplomatic means, in the interests of ensuring regional stability and security," the Russian Foreign Office stated.
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