Tehran Seeks Support of International Community for Afghan Refugees in Iran

Maliki, who is also a member of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament, suggested that Iran should use the resources it provides to the provinces of Afghanistan that border with Iran, namely water and electricity, as a pressure tool against the Taliban.

Herat is one of the provinces bordering Iran which uses electricity imported from the country.

Maliki did not refer to the recent statements of the Iranian authorities, who said that the lack of water in Iran is due to the drought in Afghanistan.

According to Asr Iran Daily, Maliki said, "The Taliban did not even allow the Iranian experts. Certainly, the Islamic Republic of Iran will put retaliatory measures on the agenda. Retaliation does not mean war with the Taliban. However, we have to reconsider our relations with them."

Maliki added, "We have different solutions to deal with the Taliban because we provide both water and electricity to our neighbouring provinces in Afghanistan. The Afghan embassy was opened in Iran in a situation where a wave of opposition was formed in the country. We have no choice and we have to implement some options against the Taliban."

Both the resistance fronts said that they waged separate operations against the Taliban.

The Taliban has not yet reacted to the claims of the NRF and AFF.

NRF announced that the front’s forces attacked the police command and intelligence office of the Taliban in Guldara district of Kabul province on Saturday night.

According to NRF, during the exchange of gunfire between the two sides, one Taliban fighter had been killed and another member of this group had been wounded.

NRF also confirmed that a fighter of their own group had been wounded in the attack.

In a statement, NRF stressed on continuing "targeted attacks" against the Taliban.

Meanwhile, AFF announced that the front’s forces targeted a Taliban outpost in Dawlat Shah district of Laghman province, because of which two Taliban fighters were killed and three other members of the group were injured.

In recent months, anti-Taliban resistance fronts have increased attacks on the Taliban across Afghanistan.

Al-Thani warned of sporadic engagement to resolve issues in Afghanistan and said that with such an approach, no progress will be achieved.

Addressing a global forum in Singapore on Friday, Al-Thani stressed that the international community had to be united over the past 20 years to bring out reconciliation in Afghanistan.

However, the Qatari Prime Minister suggested that the talks about Afghanistan should continue until a solution to the country's problems is found.

Referring to the two years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Al-Thani warned that with the continuation of the current situation in Afghanistan, the country will suffer socially and economically.

In May, Al-Thani had visited Afghanistan and made a stop in Kandahar, after which media outlets had reported that he had met with the Taliban leader there.

In a statement, the ministry added that the Uzbek delegation is headed by the first deputy minister of trade of Uzbekistan and arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday.

The Uzbek delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with the Taliban officials and Afghan businessmen.

The Taliban's Ministry of Industry and Commerce stressed that the purpose of the visit of the Uzbek delegation to Kabul is to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

The Taliban added that Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in electricity, technology, and processed foods.

Uzbekistan has maintained business relations with the Taliban since August 2021, when Afghanistan fell to the group.

According to Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Velayati has not yet returned to Iran.

This photojournalist of Tasnim News Agency had been detained by the Taliban in Kabul last week while boarding a flight for Iran.

Tasnim reported that Velayati had been handed over to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kabul on Friday night.

The media agency expressed hope that this photojournalist will leave for Iran as soon as possible.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced on Friday night about the intensive diplomatic efforts of the Islamic Republic for the release of this photojournalist.

The Taliban have not yet announced the reason for the detention of Velayati.

He was released while several other journalists remain in Taliban detention.

Earlier, the Afghanistan Journalists Center announced that 13 journalists and media workers are being held by the Taliban.