Terror Plot Against Iran International: Suspect Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison

However, the front stated that it will continue its "liberation efforts" until the environment is conducive for complete disarmament of the Taliban and the transfer of power to a third party, followed by the holding of free and fair elections in Afghanistan.

In a letter to the office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Thursday, this anti-Taliban military front wrote that it considers the report of the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council as "a positive step towards reflecting the current realities in Afghanistan" and welcomes it.

The letter stated that this front expects the United Nations to take practical actions in this regard.

However, the letter emphasised that "consolidating the illegitimate rule of the Taliban is not in the interest of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the region, and the world”.

In a detailed seven-page letter, the Freedom Front wrote its perspective on the situation in Afghanistan, including issues such as political development, security, human rights, economic development, humanitarian aid, and narcotics.

It seems that this letter is in response to a report of António Guterres on Wednesday, presented to the members of the United Nations Security Council.

In his report to the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General said that commitment to international obligations and the start of a process leading to the establishment of an inclusive constitution will lead to the normalisation of global relations with the Taliban.

The report also suggests appointing a new representative for peace in Afghanistan to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue; the Taliban have previously stated that they do not agree with the appointment of this representative.

The UNAMA office in Kabul, in its quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports on the situation in Afghanistan, usually quotes from the Taliban's administrations and authorities.

However, the Freedom Front in its letter wrote that the information provided by the Taliban-controlled administration is worthless because there is no ground for verification and validation of such information. Therefore, it has been suggested that the United Nations prepare its reports "in light of information obtained from all parties involved in the Afghan affairs”.

This front, opposing the Taliban, said that the United Nations should put all grounds for a peaceful transition of Afghanistan "from the illegitimate rule of the Taliban to a system based on law and the will of the people" on its agenda.

The letter warned that the situation in Afghanistan is moving towards "becoming Rwanda-like”. The front, referring to the widespread human rights violations and war crimes of the Taliban, has asked the United Nations to prevent the complete collapse of Afghanistan.

The letter also emphasised that the Freedom Front is committed to fully observing the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the accepted values of human rights during its liberation efforts against the Taliban, and while it has the capability to conduct widespread and major attacks, it has focused its attacks on targeting the Taliban's centres, posts, patrols, and garrisons to prevent civilian casualties.

He noted that the Turkish delegation did not view the Taliban's stance against Israel's attacks on Gaza as “strong”.

Haqqani told them, "Afghans are revolutionary people, they are people of action rather than words."

He stated, "The Turks came to see me and asked me why the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] did not react earlier on the Palestinian issue. I told them that the people of Afghanistan are very revolutionary, they are not people of words, they are people of action.”

The Taliban's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza at least twice. However, unlike the Turkish president and several Iranian and Arab politicians, Taliban officials have refrained from taking harsh positions and expressing controversial statements about Israel.

In contrast to Iran, Afghanistan, under the Taliban's rule, has witnessed minimal demonstrations condemning Israel's attacks on Palestinians.

On November 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that if Israel's ongoing massacre in Palestine persists, it would demonstrate to the entire world that the country has transformed into a "terrorist state”.

Taliban officials have rarely spoken out or reacted strongly to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

The Taliban's interior minister said, "If our leadership addresses the issue of Palestine today, who can control the Afghans?”

Sirajuddin Haqqani regarded the Taliban government as "more sympathetic" than any other government toward Muslim countries.

In his address to the students, he stated, "The hope of Muslims worldwide, lies in this Islamic system [Taliban]. No other system in the world is as compassionate and empathetic towards Muslims; only this system possesses such qualities.”

On Thursday, a ceremony took place in Kabul University's auditorium, featuring senior Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, Minister of Defence, and Neda Mohammad Nadim, Minister of Higher Education.

The Taliban's interior minister noted that in the past, madrassas and universities viewed each other with suspicion and were "very hostile”. He highlighted that now they are united, emphasising that Afghanistan can advance when "internal unity" becomes strong.

He claimed that the Taliban leader has given more privileges to "higher education and schools than religious schools”.

Addressing the students, Haqqani said that those with "opposing" views should know that the Taliban regime is an Islamic and Ulema system. He cautioned against spreading ideas contrary to the regime, emphasising on the importance of avoiding corruption.

This senior Taliban figure also addressed the Security Council in his speech. Haqqani stated that the council members have referred to both the advancements and setbacks of the Taliban. However, he emphasised in his address that the Taliban will not submit to pressure.

Haqqani said that a clear message has been conveyed to the world, and it's a matter of satisfaction that the Islamic Emirate does not bow its head under the pressure of anyone.

During Wednesday's meeting of the UN Security Council, all member countries, including Russia and China, who are considering recognition of the Taliban, highlighted the threat posed by terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Even Pakistan, a supporter of the Taliban, acknowledged the presence of terrorist groups under the protection of the Taliban in Afghanistan, launching attacks on Pakistani soldiers from the region.

However, Haqqani once again emphasised that Afghanistan is not a threat to any country and adheres to the Doha Agreement.

The Taliban added that the visit has taken place after the official invitation of Iran's Foreign Minister.

The Taliban's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza at least twice. However, unlike the Turkish president and several Iranian and Arab politicians, Taliban officials have refrained from taking harsh positions and expressing controversial statements about Israel.

Furthermore, in contrast to Iran, Afghanistan, under the Taliban's rule, has witnessed minimal demonstrations condemning Israel's attacks on Palestinians.

In a statement last month, the Taliban's foreign ministry asked the United Nations to stop Israel's "crimes" in Gaza.

On Thursday, during a meeting with a Turkish delegation, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's interior minister, remarked that Israel seemingly did not view the Taliban's stance against the attacks on Gaza as "strong”. He emphasised that Afghans support Palestine through actions, not just words.

Nevertheless, Iran, recognised as a significant supporter of Hamas, has consistently adopted a firm position against Israel's attacks. Iranian officials have held multiple meetings with Hamas leaders during the Gaza attacks.

In this audio file, which was obtained by Afghanistan International, a Taliban member emphasises on "jihad" beyond Afghanistan.

The security source who provided this audio file to Afghanistan International said that the voice message belongs to a member of the Afghan Taliban involved in recent attacks in Pakistan.

Expanding "Jihad" Beyond Afghanistan

In the audio file, the Taliban member tells Sirajuddin Haqqani that he did not pledge allegiance to Haqqani only to stop "jihad" after establishing an Islamic regime in Kabul.

He insisted that he pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban to establish "Islamic regimes everywhere”.

In the audio file, Sirajuddin Haqqani is referred to as "Khalifa Sahib" and is told, "You are our leader, and you will remain our leader until the Day of Judgment."

This Taliban member also urges Sirajuddin Haqqani and those he calls "sacrificial” friends to "rise up and rain fire on the enemy that has invaded your hearts”. He also calls on the Taliban's Interior Minister and group members to rise up and "strengthen the ranks of martyrdom”.

The Taliban commonly use the terms "sacrificial" and "martyrdom" to refer to suicide attackers.

Disappointment and Despair from Sirajuddin Haqqani's Associates

The Taliban member in this audio file expresses dissatisfaction with Haqqani's close associates for ignoring his messages and mistreating him.

He refers to some people as "migrant friends," seemingly referring to members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The audio file states, "Naturally, migrant friends get upset by any conversation."

This Taliban member also asks Sirajuddin Haqqani to keep the "migrant friends" close if possible or bid them farewell otherwise.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the contents of this audio file.

Link between Haqqani and Suicide Bombers

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the main recipient of this audio message, is the current Taliban Interior Minister in the regime and was responsible for the Haqqani network during the group's twenty-year war against the former Afghan government.

Haqqani is responsible for one of the largest suicide bomber organisations of the Taliban. His name became famous for his role in training, equipping, and executing suicide attacks over the past twenty years.

The Taliban's Interior Minister announced in a gathering in Kandahar in March 2021, after the complete takeover of Kabul by the group, that only 1050 members of his group, the Haqqani Taliban Network, had carried out suicide attacks in the past one and a half decades.

Increasing Insecurity in Pakistan

Reports indicate that insecurity and bloody attacks in Pakistan have increased following the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan.

Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing arms and shelter to leaders and forces of the TTP in Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials also say that members of the Afghan Taliban are involved in deadly attacks in various Pakistani cities.

In one of the most recent cases, a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Tuesday killed at least 23 Pakistani police officers. The Tehreek Jihad Pakistan, often considered a branch of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for this attack.

Following the attack, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Taliban's chargé d'affaires in Islamabad and demanded the arrest of the perpetrators.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in response to Pakistani officials attributing the event to the Taliban, said that the attack did not originate from Afghanistan and has no relation to the Taliban's rule.

Previously, Afghanistan International obtained a video showing that this attack was carried out by a person named Hasan Shakir, a member of the Afghan Taliban from Musa Qala, Helmand.

This Taliban member, in a video recorded before the attack in Dera Ismail Khan, asks his relatives not to be sad and to offer prayers of gratitude hearing the news of what he called martyrdom.

The report detailed that in October 2022, IRGC agents offered a people-smuggler $200,000 to kill Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet, current and former presenters of Iran International, at their residences with a kitchen knife. The plan was thwarted by the would-be assassin, who was reportedly a double agent.

ITV disclosed that initially, a car bomb was planned to detonate outside Iran International's London office in Autumn 2022. Security measures around the building led to a change in strategy, focusing instead on the targeted assassination of the presenters.

The report indicated that IRGC operatives justified the assassination plot by claiming Iran International had profoundly humiliated the Islamic Republic. The double agent shared with ITV that the IRGC's intention was to set an example for anyone aspiring to succeed the presenters at the channel.

Mohammad Reza Ansari, identified as an IRGC commander and under US sanctions, is alleged to be the primary planner of the assassination attempts. He reportedly instructed Muhammed Abd al-Razek Kanafani, linked to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to execute the plan.

Kanafani, who was overseeing the plot, initially aimed to target the directors of Iran International, but later refocused on Farahzad and Sabet. Unbeknownst to the conspirators, Farahzad had moved to Washington, leaving only Sabet in London.

The report further states that the hired individual initially worked with the IRGC in 2016, but was later recruited by a Western intelligence agency. Upon being approached by the IRGC in 2022 for the assassination plot, he informed the intelligence agency.

This individual also claimed that Kanafani promised him $200,000 and new identity documents. Kanafani allegedly sent someone to photograph the Iran International office as part of the plot.

On Wednesday, a UK court jury found Chechnya-born Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev guilty of scouting Iran International's London office for a potential terror attack. Arrested in February 2023 by London’s Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command, he was charged with collecting information useful for terrorism.

The court will announce its final verdict on Friday.

In response to the court's decision, Iran International stated that it remains undeterred by threats, vowing to continue providing independent and uncensored news.

Due to terror threats, Iran International temporarily moved its broadcast from London to Washington in February and resumed broadcasting from a new London studio in September.