The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press briefing, described tensions along Iran’s borders as harmful to the country’s security and expressed concern over the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Esmail Baghaei stated that from the outset of the tensions, Iran has been ready to cooperate in reducing them, and that Tehran remains in contact with both Kabul and Islamabad to help resolve the issue.
Baghaei said: “We are very concerned about the continued tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan, because, first, we share cultural, historical, and religious ties with both countries, and second, we share borders. They are our neighboring countries, and any insecurity along our surrounding borders will certainly harm our national security.”
In part of his remarks, he added that Iran, in coordination with regional countries, is seeking ways to resolve the tensions by leveraging existing capacities and encouraging multilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, speaking on the sidelines of the 23rd Doha Forum, stated that his country supports resolving recent tensions between Kabul and Islamabad through diplomacy.
Ismatulla Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, said: “Mediation by Turkïye and Qatar is sufficient; however, if the parties reach out to us, we are ready to help. At the same time, I believe both countries should be supported to ensure the success of this mediation, silence the guns, and solve the problems through dialogue.”
Political analysts regard the roles of Iran, Qatar, and Turkïye as important in the mediation process. However, they also stress that without genuine political will from Pakistan, there is little hope for a meaningful resolution to the crisis.
“We are ready for dialogue, but Pakistan is not. Pakistan must first show readiness, only then will the talks be fruitful. Otherwise, no meeting will produce any results,” Sangar Amirzada, a political analyst, said.
Fazal Rahman Oria, another political analyst, said: “The sources of regional instability lie in Pakistan, and the sources of war with Afghanistan are also rooted there. For this reason, such efforts will be seen as supporting the Afghan government against terrorism and the warmongering of Pakistani generals.”
This comes as, following the failure of talks in Istanbul, Iran’s foreign minister contacted his counterparts in several regional countries and announced the organization of a regional summit hosted by Tehran.
The main goal of the summit was stated as reducing the escalating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
