Taliban’s Deputy PM Visits Tehran to Discuss Economic Cooperation With Iran
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, left Kabul for Tehran on Saturday.
In a statement, the Taliban wrote that the visit was made at the official invitation of the Iranian government and Mullah Baradar and the delegation accompanying him will discuss economic cooperation, bilateral relations, trade, transit, transportation, infrastructure, railways, and regional connectivity with Iranian officials.
As per the Taliban's statement, this visit will involve deliberations on increasing trade via the Chabahar port, expanding Afghanistan's involvement at the port, and promoting economic cooperation between the two nations.
The Taliban said that Mullah Baradar will encourage Iranian businessmen to invest in Afghanistan during his visit to Tehran.
Taliban’s Office For Deputy PM for Economic Affairs wrote that "a high-ranking delegation" of the Taliban will accompany Mullah Baradar during his visit to Iran”. Iranian media outlets wrote that 30 Taliban members are included in the delegation.
ISNA news agency reported that prior to the Taliban's takeover of power in 2021, Mullah Baradar had traveled to Tehran "as the head of the Taliban's political office”. Nevertheless, following the Taliban's return to power and Mullah Baradar's appointment as the group's deputy prime minister, this marks his first visit to Tehran.
