TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Tehran’s readiness to help de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following recent deadly border clashes.
Araghchi had a telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional and international developments.
Mr. Araghchi expressed concern over the recent fighting along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and stressed the importance of sustained dialogue between the two neighboring countries. He said regional powers should also play a constructive role in helping both sides resolve the conflict peacefully and prevent further escalation.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to provide all forms of assistance to reduce tensions and promote dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul,” Araghchi said.
The remarks came after a series of violent border clashes last month left dozens dead in the deadliest fighting since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistan and Afghanistan signed a temporary ceasefire in Doha on October 19 during the first round of peace talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey. However, a second round of negotiations in Istanbul ended without any progress towards a long-term settlement.
A third round of talks resumed in Istanbul on Thursday, but collapsed soon after. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif later told Geo News that the talks were “ended” and the Pakistani delegation had “no plans for future meetings.”
During the telephone conversation, Araghchi also emphasized the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between Iran and Pakistan and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening ties in all fields.
Mr. Ishaq Dar briefed Mr. Araghchi about the latest developments in Pakistan-Afghanistan negotiations and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan, Iran’s most populous neighbor, has bilateral trade with Iran exceeding $3 billion. The two countries aim to increase this trade value to $10 billion through targeted planning and removal of existing obstacles.