Taliban Official Criticizes Iran’s Actions in the Gulf

On Monday, a senior official from the Afghan Taliban denounced Iran’s ongoing bombings in the Arab Gulf state, expressing that this violence raises concerns for Kabul and is, in many ways, an injustice towards those affected by Iran’s actions.

The Taliban, which has been in power since August 15, 2021, following the collapse of Afghanistan’s previous government, historically aims for a cordial relationship with Iran, with whom they share a long border. However, the situation has not been straightforward. The tensions between Iran and the United States are creating substantial challenges for Taliban leaders, especially due to the significant number of Afghan refugees returning from Iran and the disturbances in trade. This situation has harmed Afghanistan’s economy, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports indicate that around 10,000 containers filled with Afghan goods are currently stuck at Jebel Ali port due to rising tensions among Iran, the US, and Israel. Despite encountering such hurdles, the Taliban expresses gratitude that Iran is one of the few nations recognizing them as the legitimate governing body of Afghanistan. In a statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid remarked that just before the current conflict escalated, they committed to providing various forms of support to Iran, though it appears military assistance is not on the table.

The relationship between Iran’s regime and the Taliban has been contentious, particularly regarding how each treats migrants and water resources. Accusations of water hoarding across the Helmand River have led to the Taliban’s aggressive online rhetoric, including threats against Iran. It’s interesting, in a way—both groups are, after all, jihadist organizations, yet they belong to different factions of Islam, which adds to the complexity of their interactions.

As the Taliban navigates its ties with Iran, it appears to be fostering better relations with Sunni nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Recent diplomatic exchanges, particularly with Saudi leaders in mid-April, highlight this shift. During a diplomatic event in Turkey, Taliban Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalali emphasized that the Taliban condemns attacks on Gulf countries that arise as a consequence of the war with Iran and the US.

“We have conveyed to the Iranians that this situation concerns us,” Jalali stated. “They seem to be trying to extend conflicts to other regional nations, which is simply unfair.” He also noted that ongoing conflicts between Iran and Gulf nations complicate the Taliban’s diplomatic positions.

Following the US’s Operation Epic Fury aimed at curtailing Iran’s military capabilities, Iran initiated bombings against over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others. This sparked international condemnation, although interestingly, Iran has not targeted Afghanistan in this conflict.

In a meeting on April 15, the Taliban Foreign Ministry discussed increased support for Saudi Arabia in light of Iran’s aggressions. The Taliban Foreign Minister expressed optimism for an expanding partnership across political, security, and economic fronts.

Yet, Afghanistan faces its own challenges with many citizens returning from Iran as they flee violence. The United Nations has pointed out a significant uptick—56%—in returnees from Iran in the first quarter of the year. Compounded with mass deportations from Pakistan, tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan has escalated recently, although neighbors like China have played a mediatory role. Estimates suggested that about 100,000 Afghans were displaced by conflicts amidst rising hostilities. In fact, reports from March indicated around 2,000 Afghans were returning daily from Iran alone.