Taliban FM Visiting Iran Will Meet Opposition Figures - Sources

Two sources have told Afghanistan International that the Taliban foreign minister visiting Iran will have a meeting with opposition figures Ahmad Massoud and former Herat governor Ismail Khan.

Taliban's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation on Saturday to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.

Later two reliable sources told Afghanistan International that Mutaqqi arrived in Tehran with the invitations of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC). A photo taken in Kabul airport before his departure showed a Mahan airline plane waiting on the tarmac. Mahan is an IRGC-affiliated company.

Representatives of Afghanistan’s Resistance Front did not comment on the possible meeting between Massoud and Motaqqi. The Taliban acting foreign minister had previously offered truce and peace to the resistance Front.

Afghanistan’s economic situation has badly deteriorated since the fall of its internationally recognized government and the Taliban desperately need foreign assistance. Iran has insisted that they should form an inclusive government.

Iran has close ties with the anti-Taliban figures and also cordial relations with the Taliban, whose victory in August was seen by Tehran as a defeat for the United States.