Despite the Taliban’s recent efforts to improve ties with Washington, the US State Department has publicly described the group as part of a terrorist network supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On Monday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Iran remains the primary state sponsor of terrorism in the region and maintains a hostile stance toward the United States and its allies.
Iran “supports Hezbollah, Hamas, al-Qaeda, the Houthis, the Taliban, and other terrorist networks,” Bruce stated, underscoring what she called Iran’s extensive role in fuelling regional instability.
She added that President Donald Trump, will never allow the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons. This marks the first time the US has publicly included the Taliban in its list of Iran-backed proxy groups operating across the region.
Economic and political ties between Iran and the Taliban have expanded significantly in recent months. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, recently visited Kabul and declared the start of “a new chapter” in bilateral relations following meetings with Taliban officials.
Washington appears increasingly concerned over the deepening Iran-Taliban relationship, viewing Tehran’s support as a possible attempt to use the Taliban as another regional proxy force.
Nevertheless, the Taliban have continued to express interest in building economic ties with the United States. This week, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi told CBS News that Afghanistan’s “untapped mineral wealth” remains open to US investment.
The Trump administration has shown interest in resource investments abroad, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. The Taliban hopes that attracting American investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector could serve as a platform for improving diplomatic relations.
Since the Trump administration took office, the Taliban has released two American citizens from detention. Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US envoy involved in the negotiations for George Glezmann’s release, stated the move was aimed at gaining favour with the current US government.
