IRGC-Affiliated Iranian Newspaper Praises Taliban Rule

A newspaper affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard has praised the Taliban in Afghanistan, mentioning the withdrawal of US troops as its main achievement.

The Javan newspaper highlighted several aspects, including the "withdrawal of US forces, ensuring political and security stability, increasing transparency, and reducing corruption," as positive aspects of the Taliban's governance.

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Taliban returning to power, the newspaper stated that "despite the decline in support and financial aid [to Afghanistan] from the United States and NATO, the Taliban has successfully maintained the security, political, and economic structures of the country over the past two years."

Javan's article stated, "Corruption has diminished, and Afghanistan's position on the global transparency index has improved."

The IRGC outlet declared the most significant Taliban accomplishment was "the withdrawal of US and NATO forces" from Afghanistan. It also claimed that curbing the activities of Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), an affiliate of ISIS operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, was another achievement.

Furthermore, the report acknowledged the suppression of armed resistance led by Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, as an achievement during the past two years of Taliban rule.

Nonetheless, the paper also acknowledged shortcomings during the two years of Taliban rule, such as strict measures against girls and women, restrictions on ethnic and religious minorities, and an "imbalanced foreign policy," particularly a hopeful stance towards the US.

Earlier in the week, Fars News Agency – another IRGC-affiliated media outlet -- strongly objected to a tweet by Iran’s foreign minister criticizing the Taliban, alleging that it could have adverse consequences for bilateral ties.