Iran's Envoy Highlights Afghanistan's Role in Regional Politics

In a statement to Afghanistan International, Zadran dismissed reports from some media outlets linked to Pakistan, which suggested that the Taliban had delegated the security of provinces bordering Iran to Jaish al-Adl, as unfounded.

Zadran's comments were a direct response to assertions by Pakistani journalist Hamed Mir. In a social media post, Mir claimed, "The Afghan Taliban and Jaish al-Adl are closely allied." He alleged that the Taliban had assigned the responsibility for Nimroz, Farah, and Herat provinces in Afghanistan to Jaish al-Adl.

Mir also insinuated that Jaish al-Adl plays a role in assaults against Pakistani security forces.

'Jomhuri-e Eslami', an Iranian newspaper, previously published an article alleging that Jaish al-Adl had established bases in Afghanistan with the Taliban's support. The paper suggested that with the Taliban's "logistical and political backing," it was foreseeable that Jaish al-Adl would initiate hostile actions.

In another piece, 'Jomhuri-e Eslami' claimed that the Taliban had designated three Iranian separatists as security chiefs in the provinces adjoining Iran. These officials were named as Mawlawi Towhidi in Herat, Ziaei in Farah, and Abdul Malik Malazadeh in Nimroz.

Mohammad Hossein Jafarian, a prominent Iranian journalist, in an exclusive interview with Afghanistan International, reiterated similar allegations.

In a public statement, Ahmadian acknowledged the Sunni nature of the Taliban, emphasising that it has posed no security threats to Iran.

He highlighted that religious disparities have not impeded Iran's constructive interactions and close relations with Sunni groups, including the Taliban and Hamas.

During a session with Tehran's academic community, Ahmadian observed, "Iran has successfully established mutual understanding with Hamas, a Sunni entity. A similar diplomatic stance is sustained with the Taliban administration. It's widely recognised that the Taliban is the sole governing body that has not instigated any security complications for Iran."

Iranian authorities have consistently identified ISIS as a destabilising agent in the region, with a segment of its militants based in Afghanistan.

Iran's Foreign Minister had previously claimed that ISIS had relocated to Afghanistan, transferring key leaders and battle-hardened troops from Iraq, Syria, and parts of Libya to Afghan territories.

In the wake of suicide bombings in Kerman, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence disclosed that one of the assailants, hailing from Tajikistan, received training at ISIS camps in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. Despite these incidents, the Taliban has persistently minimised the ISIS threat, asserting its suppression and weakening.

Hibatullah reaffirmed the Taliban's commitment to women's rights in Afghanistan. He censured Muslim nations for their "religious weakness," which has led to their silence on the situation in Gaza and their inability to acknowledge the truth.

He stated, "Under the guise of humanity, there is an outcry that they are serving humanity, but in reality, they are spilling human blood. You hear these ignorant and oppressive voices around the world. [Yet] in Palestine, there is severe oppression and genocide against Muslims."

In the recording, Hibatullah claimed his decrees have restored rights to Afghan women which they had been previously denied. He reiterated his granting of rights to women concerning dowries, inheritance, and consent in marriage.

The Taliban leader did not comment on the reopening of schools or the conditions for women's education in his address.

Details regarding the date and location of the speech are unconfirmed. Hedayatullah Hedayat, Deputy of the Taliban-controlled National Radio and Television, shared the audio on his X account, stating it was from Wednesday.

Segments of the speech had also been broadcast by Tolo News.

It is believed that Hibatullah, who has not been seen in video footage, delivered this address in Kandahar to a group of religious scholars.

During the inauguration of the 'Book Protection Assembly' on Tuesday, Azizi announced the removal of books leading to "intellectual deviation and corruption" from bookstores.

He directed booksellers to discard books that undermine unity, alter religious beliefs, or corrupt the mindset of readers.

Azizi stressed that the ministry's aim is not to censor or ban books outright, but to prevent the publication of materials causing "linguistic, cultural, and religious" problems within the community.

Recent reports indicate that the Taliban has stepped up efforts to regulate the publishing and sale of books. Authorities have been visiting bookstores with a list of "banned books”, seizing works by various Afghan authors, including those of researcher Mujib Rahman Rahimi, who addresses topics like the Afghan political system, national identity, and religious reform.

The Taliban has also formed a Book Evaluation Commission, which has stopped the publication of numerous books and previously prohibited the purchase, sale, and reprint of over 100 titles from libraries.

Following their return to power, the Taliban has raised taxes on Afghan publishers and increased Customs duties on book imports, further tightening their grip on the country's cultural and intellectual landscape.

Haqqani told Iodice that the inclusion of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in these institutions would make it easy to address issues of concern.

Based on the statement of the Taliban's Ministry of Interior, Haqqani said that with the inclusion of the group in international institutions, "Afghans will get their real representation".

No country recognises the Taliban government, and the group has not received invitations to participate in meetings of international organisations, including the United Nations.

In a part of this statement released today, the Taliban’s Interior Minister has been quoted as saying, "Afghanistan is swiftly progressing towards political and economic stability after enduring decades of instability."

As per the statement, Iodice also discussed the upcoming meeting of the countries involved in the Afghanistan issue, in Doha, which is scheduled to be held next month.