As Kabul and Islamabad Trade Blows, Tehran Calls for Calm

Iran has stepped forward as a regional mediator, pledging unwavering support to de-escalate the mounting hostilities between the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as the two neighbouring countries remain locked in a dangerous standoff with no resolution in sight.

Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press briefing on Monday that reducing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban is a matter of significant importance to Tehran, stressing that Iran would spare no effort to reduce these tensions, according to Afghanistan International.

Speaking in response to a question about Tehran’s potential mediation role between the Taliban administration and the Pakistani government, Baghaei said Iran is focused on ending tensions and conflict in the region, noting that friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan was a source of serious concern. He added that Iran supports any measure that could help reduce these tensions.


The long-simmering tensions between the Taliban government in Kabul and Pakistan have escalated sharply in recent months. The Pakistani forces are striking military targets inside Afghanistan in response to cross-border attacks. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation the Taliban deny. The escalation of tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan has raised alarm among countries across the region. Despite calls for dialogue, the Taliban and Pakistan have not yet reached any agreement to end the tensions and clashes, and border crossings remain closed.

This is not Tehran’s first attempt to bring the two sides together. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier declared that Tehran is “ready to provide any assistance to facilitate dialogue,” urging both countries to manage and resolve their differences within the framework of good neighbourliness and through diplomacy.

In November 2025, Araghchi spoke by telephone with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, voicing concerns about the situation and emphasising the need for continued dialogue between the two sides.

He also expressed Iran’s readiness to resolve the border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Iran’s Press TV reported. Around the same time, Araghchi also held a call with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, expressing concern about the ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring Muslim countries and announcing Iran’s readiness to offer assistance and consultation to help reduce tensions and promote peace.

Muttaqi thanked Iran for its goodwill and reiterated Afghanistan’s commitment to upholding the ceasefire and resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

Iran’s mediating role is complicated by its own intricate relationships with both parties.

While Tehran maintains close contacts with Pakistan, its relationship with the Taliban is considered tense but pragmatic. Iran has not officially recognised the Taliban since they took power in 2021. Iran’s interests in maintaining stability emerge from its fear of the conflict spilling over into Iranian territory through refugee flows and militant cross-border activity.