Tehran, Iran — In a significant diplomatic engagement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Tehran on Sunday to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional concerns, particularly the situation of Afghan refugees in Iran.
The high-level meeting took place on the sidelines of the Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, a multilateral platform aimed at enhancing regional dialogue and cooperation.
During the meeting, President Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s commitment to fostering close relations with Afghanistan, describing the neighboring country as “friendly” and highlighting the cultural and historical bonds shared by the two nations. He emphasized the need for expanding cooperation across various sectors, including trade, security, and humanitarian efforts.
“Iran is fully prepared to deepen its ties with Afghanistan in all fields,” Pezeshkian said, signaling a readiness to move forward despite the complex political realities since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
On his part, Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed appreciation for the improving trajectory of Iran-Afghanistan relations. He underscored the importance of increasing trade volume, enhancing cooperation in combating drug trafficking—a shared regional challenge—and facilitating the voluntary return of Afghan migrants from Iran.
The issue of Afghan refugees, who number in the millions in Iran, remains a pressing concern for both countries. Iran has repeatedly called for international support to address the humanitarian and economic challenges of hosting such a large refugee population.
The Taliban, meanwhile, is under increasing pressure to ensure a stable environment that can encourage repatriation.
This latest engagement reflects growing regional efforts to normalize relations with the Taliban government, which remains unrecognized by most of the international community. Tehran has maintained pragmatic ties with the Taliban, focusing on border stability, trade, and shared security concerns.
Observers see the Tehran Dialogue Forum as a platform through which Iran is seeking to position itself as a key diplomatic player in the region, balancing its interests between political realities and humanitarian responsibilities.
The meeting marks another chapter in the evolving relationship between Tehran and Kabul, as both sides look to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics in a post-U.S. Afghanistan while addressing pressing domestic and regional issues.