Iran, Afghanistan Foreign Ministers Discuss Recent Tensions

Taliban's acting foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart have held a phone conversation about recent tensions between the two countries.

In the phone call late on Monday, Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said a Taliban delegation will soon visit Iran to discuss the situation of a growing number of Afghan refugees living in the country and those jailed in Iranian prisons.

According to a statement by the Afghan foreign ministry, the two sides also expressed determination to expand cooperation, noting that some groups are using media to sow discord between the two countries and pave the ground for violence.

Tensions are high between the two countries, especially after Afghan protesters attacked the Iranian consulate in Herat Monday hurling stones, smashing security cameras, and burning tires before they were dispersed by Taliban security. People also held a demonstration outside Iran’s embassy in Kabul over alleged mistreatment of Afghan immigrants in Iran.

Following the attacks, an Iranian-backed group organized a gathering in front of Tehran’s embassy in Kabul to express support for the Islamic Republic, but Taliban forces closed its center in Kabul and arrested several people who were connected to it in Herat.

Iranian media’s account of the telephone call said that Muttaqi had assured Tehran of full security for Iranian diplomatic facilities, diplomats and staff in Afghanistan.

Tehran says it will not resume its consular services before receiving assurances from Afghan authorities over protection of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.