Afghanistan’s Neighbors Convene in Tehran to Discuss Regional Cooperation
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Zaker Jalali, has expressed support for statements made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi regarding the utilization of Afghanistan‘s potential for enhanced regional collaboration.
In a message posted on X, Jalali stated that Afghanistan, moving beyond solely security-focused approaches, can leverage its geoeconomic location and economy-centric foreign policy to become a bridge connecting Central Asia, the West, and South Asia.
Jalali asserted that the Afghanistan prior to 2021, marked by the military presence of numerous foreign countries and intervention from both regional and distant actors, had become a severe security problem not only for its own citizens but also for the entire region.
He emphasized that, given the current government’s geoeconomic standing and economy-oriented foreign policy, Afghanistan is positioned to serve as an effective communication bridge between Central Asia, the West, and South Asia.
Jalali added that regional countries could effectively leverage Afghanistan’s transit and trade capacities within this framework, which would ultimately serve shared interests and strengthen regional integration.
During the “Neighbors of Afghanistan” meeting in Tehran, Abbas Araqchi noted that Afghanistan’s geoeconomic position places it at the center of communication networks spanning Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia. He emphasized that the stability and development of Afghanistan are not only a humanitarian necessity but also a strategic imperative for the entire region.
Araqchi also stated that the experiences of the past few decades have clearly demonstrated that security, development, and prosperity in Afghanistan are directly linked to the interests of all neighboring countries. He said that it is not an exaggeration to suggest that the shared future of the region is intertwined with the future of Afghanistan.
The meeting in Tehran on December 14, 2025, included special representatives from neighboring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as Russia. The participants reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan, recognizing the importance of regional engagement in addressing the issues.
The fifth meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries is scheduled to take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, soon.
