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.
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leade...
Kazakhstan secured agreements and investment commitments worth $12 billion during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's official visit to Brussels on 22...
Iran’s parliamentary speaker said on Wednesday regional countries alone should determine the Middle East’s political and security order, rejecting...
The United Nations Public Service Forum has opened in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the first time, bringing together 420 participants from nearly 100 countri...
France has confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a doctor returning from a humanitar...
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has announced that Italy will reopen its embassy in Tehran on Friday (19 June), marking a rare reversal in a period of heightened regional instability and disrupted diplomatic ties across the Middle East.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Monday they targeted the source of an attack on a telecom facility on Sirik Island near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim News Agency reported.
The U.S. and Iran have given mixed signals about progress in peace talks, after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been “some progress,” while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said major differences remained.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker said on Wednesday regional countries alone should determine the Middle East’s political and security order, rejecting external involvement and calling for expanded intra-regional cooperation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leadership race.
France has confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a doctor returning from a humanitarian mission tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Wednesday (24 June).
Ukraine said its forces had struck key energy installations inside Russia, including a gas processing plant and a helium facility in the Orenburg region, as drone assaults increased across multiple areas.
Critical minerals are becoming a key battleground in the growing economic rivalry between the G7 and China, as governments seek to secure supplies vital to the energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
An unusual weather pattern known as an omega block is at the heart of the extreme heat sweeping across Europe. The phenomenon can trap hot air over the same region for days or even weeks, allowing temperatures to climb to dangerous levels.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment