Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a shift in the country’s foreign policy approach, urging stronger engagement with neighbouring states, particularly Afghanistan.
He said the Islamic Republic must reassess its regional relations and prioritise cooperation with its immediate neighbours.
Speaking on Saturday, during a meeting with staff at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pezeshkian said improving ties with countries such as Turkiye, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Gulf states should be a top priority. He stressed that resolving domestic challenges should be accompanied by strengthening external partnerships.
Pezeshkian said Iran could achieve major progress by reforming its relations with neighbouring countries and called for greater involvement from the private sector, academics, and cultural institutions in fostering regional cooperation.
According to the president’s office, Pezeshkian argued that with stronger ties in place, Iran would not need to worry about smaller issues, such as disputes over north-western border crossings. He urged reducing tensions and focusing on removing border barriers and creating deeper economic linkages.
Regional Integration and Border Closures
Pezeshkian questioned why regional countries could not pursue closer integration, drawing parallels to the European model, with open borders, and expanded economic collaboration.
His comments come amid the Islamic Republic’s ongoing efforts to fortify its eastern borders. A senior Iranian military official previously stated that 330 kilometres of Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan would be sealed off by the end of 2024. Iran has allocated €3 billion to its armed forces for this effort.
In the wake of a recent 12-day conflict with Israel, Iran has also stepped up deportations of Afghan nationals, removing tens of thousands of migrants daily. The mass deportations have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, prompting warnings from the United Nations of a looming catastrophe.
Reports have emerged of Iranian police tearing up the passports of Afghan nationals with valid visas, as well as instances of violent arrests and forced deportations.
Afghan Migrants in Iran
Pezeshkian said he had instructed Iran’s interior minister to ensure that Afghan migrants are treated with care and that no administrative negligence results in negative perceptions among Afghan nationals. He described Afghans as “brothers and sisters,” highlighting shared language, history, faith, and culture.
The Sunday Times recently reported that Iran has launched one of the largest mass expulsions in modern history, with more than one million Afghans deported.
Numerous reports have surfaced in recent weeks alleging abuse, racism, and even deaths of Afghan migrants in detention camps. Taliban officials have also expressed concern over Iran’s treatment of Afghan migrants. Acting Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund warned that such conduct could fuel hostility between the two nations.
Iranian border guards have repeatedly opened fire on Afghan migrants. Last year, security forces allegedly shot at migrants in the Kalgan area of Saravan.
Possible Visit to Afghanistan
Pezeshkian reaffirmed his support for closer cooperation with Afghanistan and expressed his readiness to visit the country, pending necessary arrangements, to “open a new chapter” in bilateral ties.
While Iran has maintained growing ties with the Taliban particularly in trade and security cooperation it has not formally recognised the Taliban-led government.
Over the past four years, several Iranian officials have visited Afghanistan, and Taliban representatives have travelled to Tehran. In February, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led a political and economic delegation to Kabul to advance Iran’s regional interests.
Following that visit, Iran’s ambassador in Kabul clarified that the engagement did not amount to official recognition, though Tehran would continue to maintain relations with the Taliban administration.
Relations between the two sides have seen periods of tension. Tehran has repeatedly urged the Taliban to release water flow to Iran, a request the Taliban have declined, citing drought conditions. In May 2023, a border clash in Nimruz province resulted in the deaths of two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter.
