Iran and Russia share a common view on the need to reduce tensions between Taliban authorities and Pakistan and counter terrorist threats linked to Afghanistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran.
“We also agree on issues concerning Afghanistan, reducing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, and countering terrorist threats,” Araghchi said.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Taliban authorities and Pakistan, including border clashes and the closure of key crossings between the two countries.
Russia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Albert Khorev, expressed concern Monday over the continued closure of Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossings amid the tensions.
Addressing an event in Islamabad, Khorev said Russia was concerned about civilian casualties resulting from Pakistani actions in Afghanistan, as well as reports of militants crossing from Afghanistan into Pakistan and affecting security, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Resolving this issue is in the interest not only of the two countries, but of the entire region,” Khorev said.
Sources told Amu TV that sporadic clashes between Taliban forces and the Pakistani military have continued for several days in Paktia and Paktika provinces in the east. The Taliban Defense Ministry, however, denied to Amu TV that such clashes were taking place.
Iran and Russia maintain extensive political and economic relations with Taliban authorities but have also repeatedly raised concerns about terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.
Taliban authorities have rejected claims that terrorist groups operate from Afghanistan’s territory and say they will not allow the country to be used to threaten other states.
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