The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan skipped a major regional meeting in Tehran on Sunday, with analysts saying the absence is “not a deliberate political signal” but reflects timing and existing diplomatic ties.
Envoys from Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and China, as well as Russia participated in the one-day meeting to discuss recent developments in the country ruled by Taliban officials.
The Taliban chose not to attend, raising questions about its stance on regional diplomacy.
Speaking to AnewZ, Ali Latifi, Asia Editor for The New Humanitarian, said the Taliban’s absence is “not a deliberate political signal or a deliberate rejection.”
He noted that the Islamic Emirate maintains strong ties with Tehran, Moscow, and other nations present, suggesting there is no major diplomatic rift.
The meeting focused on security coordination, refugee flows, and economic issues. Latifi explained that while these countries have bilateral interests, “they are all trying to show that the region can sort of work for itself and address its own issues.”
Regarding Russia and China, the analyst highlighted their “very good relations with the Islamic Emirate,” noting that China is actively investing in Afghanistan and Russia was the first nation to recognise the Taliban government.
Latifi also emphasised the Taliban’s ongoing interest in engagement: “They keep saying that we want more relations with other nations… choosing not to attend this one event does not mean that they want to be ostracised again or pull themselves away from the regional and global community.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry told a weekly press conference that it “respects” Kabul’s decision not to participate in the Tehran meeting despite all relevant countries, including Afghanistan, being invited.
“Iran believes that Afghanistan's participation in such processes can help strengthen understanding and resolve problems between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries,” spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the status of Greenland did not arise in his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, as Trump stepped back from...
Venezuelan oil exports under a flagship $2 billion supply deal with the U.S. reached about 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and ...
Azerbaijan’s State Oil Fund, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), has signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement worth up to $1.4 billion w...
The United States is placing renewed emphasis on regional partnerships that offer predictability, security cooperation and economic continuity as inst...
Armenia and Azerbaijan will interconnect their energy systems, enabling mutual electricity imports and exports as part of a wider regional transit ini...
Several locally-developed instant messaging applications were reportedly restored in Iran on Tuesday (20 January), partially easing communications restrictions imposed after recent unrest.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has called for support for protesters seeking to overthrow Iran’s government. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on 16 January, Pahlavi outlined plans to return to Iran and called for action against the country’s Revolutionary Guards.
Protests that erupted across Iran in recent weeks have largely subsided following a sweeping security crackdown that residents and human rights groups say killed thousands of people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on 16 January, offering Russia’s help to mediate tensions and promote dialogue in the Middle East.
Several locally-developed instant messaging applications were reportedly restored in Iran on Tuesday (20 January), partially easing communications restrictions imposed after recent unrest.
There was a common theme in speeches at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday (20 January). China’s Vice-Premier, He Lifeng, warned that "tariffs and trade wars have no winners," while France's Emmanuel Macron, labelled "endless accumulation of new tariffs" from the U.S. "fundamentally unacceptable."
Dozens of beaches along Australia's east coast, including in Sydney, closed on Tuesday (20 January) after four shark attacks in two days, as heavy rains left waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would “work something out” with NATO allies on Tuesday, defending his approach to the alliance while renewing his push for U.S. control of Greenland amid rising tensions with Europe.
At the World Economic Forum’s “Defining Eurasia’s Economic Identity” panel on 20 January 2026, leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Serbia discussed how the South Caucasus and wider Eurasian region can strengthen economic ties, peace and geopolitical stability amid shifting global influence.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the status of Greenland did not arise in his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, as Trump stepped back from tariff threats and ruled out using force to take control of the territory.
Venezuelan oil exports under a flagship $2 billion supply deal with the U.S. reached about 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and documents from state-run PDVSA showed.
A fire alarm prompted the partial evacuation of the Davos Congress Centre on Wednesday evening while Donald Trump was inside the building attending the World Economic Forum, Swiss authorities said.
Kazakhstan has yet to receive results from two foreign laboratories examining evidence linked to the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft near Aktau, delaying the publication of the final investigation report, officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow could pay $1 billion from Russian assets frozen abroad to secure permanent membership in President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Board of Peace’.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment