Iran Appoints Non-IRGC Official as Special Envoy for Afghanistan
Iran’s Foreign Minister has dismissed Hassan Kazemi Qomi from his role as Special Representative for Afghanistan, appointing Alireza Bikdeli as his successor.
Iran’s Foreign Minister has dismissed Hassan Kazemi Qomi from his role as Special Representative for Afghanistan, appointing Alireza Bikdeli as his successor.
Bikdeli will now serve as the Special Representative of the Iranian Foreign Ministry for Afghanistan, according to reports from Iranian media.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website notes that Bikdeli does not have a direct connection to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has historically played a significant role in shaping Iran’s foreign policy towards Afghanistan.
In related developments, the role of the Iranian president’s special representative for Afghanistan has been eliminated as part of recent structural reforms. The responsibilities of the special representative will now fall under the direct purview of the Foreign Ministry.
Bikdeli brings extensive diplomatic experience to the position, having served in various roles within the Foreign Ministry. These include Acting Deputy Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Iranian Expatriates Affairs, as well as Head of the Taskforce for Economic Reconstruction of Afghanistan. He has also served as Iran’s ambassador to Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus.
Kazemi Qomi, who assumed the position of special representative in October 2021, played a pivotal role in managing Iran’s relations with Afghanistan during a period of significant transition.
While Iran, like many nations, does not officially recognise the Taliban government, it has maintained a pragmatic relationship with the group. Tehran has handed over Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions to Taliban representatives, reflecting its continued engagement with the new power structure in Kabul.
