China Now Controls Bagram Air Base, Says Trump

According to the council, a high-level delegation led by senior opposition figures, including Mohammad Mohaqiq, recently travelled to Tehran to engage with Iranian officials. During meetings with representatives from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior, the delegation urged authorities to reconsider the expulsion of Afghans deemed at risk.

Hussain Yasa, spokesperson for the council, told Afghanistan International Radio that deported Afghan security forces have reportedly been subjected to torture by the Taliban upon their return.

In a statement released on Thursday, the council expressed deep concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees, many of whom are former government officials, police officers, judges, and political activists. The Council called on Iran to continue offering refuge and to halt any forced returns that could endanger lives.

The council statement said it submitted a formal proposal outlining measures to protect vulnerable individuals. Iranian officials reportedly pledged to review the plan and assured the delegation that steps would be taken to assess refugee status and improve conditions for Afghan nationals residing in Iran.

Over the past year, Iran has prioritised the deportation of undocumented Afghan migrants, with tens of thousands expelled to date. Despite publicly opposing forced returns, the Taliban claims it is working to support reintegration efforts and has appealed to international organisations for assistance.

Yasa confirmed that the delegation held meetings with both the Foreign and Interior Ministries of Iran. He said Iranian officials promised to take the Council’s concerns seriously and to explore ways of addressing the challenges facing Afghan refugees.

The recent visit by senior members of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan including Mohammad Mohaqiq, Haji Almas Zahid, Abdullah Qarluq, Mahboob Siddiqi, and Habib-ur-Rahman Sayyaf was aimed solely at addressing the worsening refugee crisis.

Yasa clarified that the delegation did not engage in discussions regarding Iran’s broader foreign policy, saying: “The Islamic Republic’s policy toward the Taliban is an internal matter for Iran.”

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Muttaqi said that the current Taliban government represents the entire nation.

Muttaqi claimed that under Taliban rule, citizens are able to live freely without discrimination based on political beliefs, ethnicity, or regional affiliation. He maintained that there are no threats to individuals who wish to live peacefully under the current system.

Commenting on the Taliban’s relationship with the United States, Muttaqi said that several key provisions of the 2020 Doha Agreement particularly the release of Taliban prisoners have not been fully implemented. He noted delays and inconsistencies in prisoner releases and criticised the continued presence of Taliban leaders on international sanctions lists, despite agreements to lift them.

While acknowledging the recent removal of US bounties on some Taliban officials, he insisted that full delisting has yet to occur. He described a recent visit by a US delegation to Kabul as potentially marking the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations and expressed hope for gradual improvement.

He stated that Taliban has a balanced foreign policy and seeks mutual progress in economic, political, and diplomatic fields.

Taliban Maintains Neutrality in India–Pakistan Tensions

Muttaqi also addressed the group’s position on India–Pakistan relations, stating that the Taliban does not interfere in the bilateral tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He stated that Taliban doesn’t take side with one nation against another, and added that the group seeks positive diplomatic ties with both countries.

No Domestic Opposition

On internal security and political opposition, Muttaqi asserted that no organised opposition groups currently exist within Afghanistan and added that those who oppose the the Taliban live abroad Afghanistan and act individually, not as part of any political movement.

He further stated that there are no significant threats to Taliban authority from within and extended an invitation to exiled Afghans, including former political opponents, to return and engage with the Taliban without facing retribution.

In a statement released on Wednesday, 30 April, the ministry said the agreements aim to strengthen bilateral ties while promoting environmental sustainability and cooperative management of shared water resources in Central Asia.

Although the ministry did not disclose specific terms, Uzbek media reported on Thursday that the agreements include a framework for joint oversight of the Amu Darya river basin and equitable distribution of its water, one of the most critical transboundary water sources in the region.

The deals were formalised during a visit to northern Afghanistan by an Uzbek delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jamshid Abduzukhurov. The delegation met with senior Taliban officials, including Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban-appointed governor of Balkh province.

According to the ministry, the discussions centred on enhancing agricultural trade, harmonising plant quarantine regulations, and developing joint strategies for water resource management. The agreements also reflect Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to foster regional stability, sustainable development, and environmental security, the statement noted.

The Taliban governor’s office in Balkh confirmed the visit, stating that the primary focus was to expand cooperation in agriculture, economic development, and the use of shared water resources. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation also toured key areas along the Amu Darya river to assess conditions on the ground.

The Amu Darya, which flows through Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, is a vital water source for agriculture and livelihoods. Effective coordination between riparian states has long been a challenge, particularly amid growing concerns over climate change, water scarcity, and regional political dynamics.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 1 May, the court said the punishment was administered publicly by the primary court of Qarabagh district the previous day. The man’s identity has not been disclosed.

The incident marks another instance of the Taliban’s enforcement of its strict interpretation of Sharia law, which includes corporal punishment for certain crimes. Public floggings, executions, and amputations have drawn international condemnation since the group’s return to power in August 2021.

While the Taliban claims such punishments serve as a deterrent and are carried out following legal procedures, human rights organisations continue to criticise the lack of transparency, due process, and the use of punishments deemed inhumane under international law.

According to a statement released on Thursday, 3206 Afghans were expelled from Pakistan, while 1515 were deported from Iran. The commission said the deportees entered Afghanistan through various official border crossings, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, Angoor Ada, Islam Qala, and Pul-e-Abrisham.

Of those returned, 1551 individuals have been relocated to different provinces, including Ghazni, Logar, Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Baghlan, Takhar, Balkh, Jowzjan, and Kunduz.

The commission also noted that 7.7 million Afghanis in cash assistance was distributed among the returnees to help them resettle. It did not provide details on how the funds were allocated or the criteria used for distribution.

The Taliban authority, which provides daily updates on migration, said that 3868 Afghans were deported from Iran and Pakistan the previous day, reflecting a sharp rise in expulsions this week.

The recent wave of deportations comes amid heightened pressure from neighbouring countries to repatriate undocumented Afghan migrants, many of whom have fled conflict, persecution, or economic hardship. Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over the forced returns, citing risks of abuse, instability, and lack of support infrastructure inside Afghanistan.