Afghanistan International: 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. This marks the first time the US has publicly included the Taliban in its list of Iran-backed proxy groups operating across
Michael Hughes: As relations between Iran and Afghanistan grow warmer, the U.S. has put efforts to boost ties with the Taliban into overdrive. The FBI removed Haqqani Network bounties and diplomatic rapprochement is in full swing. Ex-envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is suddenly back on the scene – no doubt in a bid to ensure the radical
Amu: Iran’s top diplomat in Afghanistan, Alireza Bigdeli, said Afghan migrants living in Iran have played a “vital” role in supporting the country’s economic development, and called for stronger cultural and economic ties between the two neighbors. Speaking during a visit to Herat to follow up on bilateral cooperation projects, Bigdeli described Iran-Afghanistan relations as
By Abubakar Siddique and RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi March 21, 2025 Millions of Afghans in Iran face an uncertain future as Tehran prepares to implement sweeping restrictions that will cut off access to health care, education, housing, and other essential services for undocumented immigrants. The new policy, set to take effect on March 21, has left
Khaama: Iran is deporting over 300 Afghan migrants daily from Khorasan Razavi, as the government intensifies efforts to manage undocumented migration. In both Iran and Pakistan, pressure on Afghan refugees has been increasing, even as migration from Afghanistan continues. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: Iranian authorities have arrested 250,000 undocumented migrants in Tehran province over the past year, according to the region’s governor, Mohammad Sadeq Motamedian. Motamedian, speaking to Mehr News Agency, said the deadline for registering undocumented migrants in the country’s census is March 22. Click here to read more (external link). Related Iran’s interior ministry outlines
Sarah Zaman VOA News March 6, 2025 ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s Taliban Thursday called on neighbors Pakistan and Iran to be patient with Afghan refugees and follow an organized process for their return, considering Afghanistan’s economic challenges. Pakistan and Iran have sent back more than 2.7 million Afghans to their home country since the 20-year U.S.-led war
Afghanistan International: During his visit to Iran, Afghan jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf urged the Taliban to establish a Shurā-ye Ḥall wa ‘Aqd, a council composed of “those who are qualified to unbind and to bind”—also described as “the people who loosen and bind”—instead of holding elections. This council, a concept in Sunni Islamic
Amu: Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, former jihadi leader and a senior member of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, has arrived in Iran for what Iranian media describe as a “medical visit.” Iranian state media reported Tuesday that during his visit, Sayyaf met with senior Iranian officials, though details of the discussions
Afghanistan International: Former Iranian diplomat Rasoul Mousavi has stated that the possibility of the Taliban administration being overthrown remains due to rebellion, civil war, or foreign intervention. He concluded that Afghanistan’s long-term stability hinges on the Taliban’s ability to integrate diverse ethnic groups into governance and address major human rights concerns. However, he warned that