Taliban approach to Iran and united states conflicts

It seems that in practice and speech, the Taliban in the future will also have an informal approach towards Iran. But it will never move into an open alliance with Iran.

After 2021, the Taliban have a soft approach to Iran, criticizing the U.S. military action against nuclear facilities, opposing the military action of the United States against Iran, criticizing Washington’s economic embargo and reiterated emphasis on the necessity of respecting the national sovereignty of Iran.

In the past year, critical and case positions of the Taliban rule against the actions of the United States against Iran, silence for domestic developments in Iran and supporting the system is a kind of informal agreement with Iran.

Iran has previously praised the “constructive position of the Taliban government against the developments in Iran”. In this approach, the Taliban considers any destabilization in Iran harmful to itself.

At the beginning of the recent invasion of the United States and Israel to Iran, the Taliban’s minister of state, mullah Mohammad Hassan akhund, in a message to Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his condolences for the martyrdom of the supreme leader of the Islamic revolution and other people in the U.S. and Israeli attacks.

The Afghan Taliban also assured Iran that the country, relying on the spirit of endurance and national solidarity, would leave this difficult time behind with pride.

Taliban foreign minister previously condemned the attack by the United States and Israel to Iran. Also, in the phone conversation between the Iranian – Afghan foreign ministers, the U.S. – Israel attack against Iran was condemned.

The presence of Taliban officials at the Iranian embassy for condolences is part of the Taliban’s approach to Iran.

The presence or sympathy of former officials, members of the religious boards, tribal elders in the Iranian representations in Afghanistan, the statements of the groups like the Fatemiun division in the defense of Iran represent a large part of public opinion and the people and personalities of Afghans to support Tehran.

The influential variables in the attitude of the Taliban

The attitude of the Taliban to Iran is rooted in a set of ideological goals, political, economic, and security needs.

Belonging to God, emphasis on the non- separation of religion from politics, the necessity of establishing an Islamic state, determining Imam or religious Emir, and determining religious observances, are all the intellectual foundations of the Taliban. These principles have important closeness with the fundamental attitudes of government of Iran.

The introduction of the Islamic emirate of the Taliban as the only Islamic system in the world, however, is an indication of the Taliban’s view of other Islamic movements including Iran.

In addition, the Taliban are working to interact with various actors, including China, Russia, and the Arab countries. Therefore, it considers their approach to the conflict between Iran and the United States.

On the other hand, the role of Arab countries on the Taliban’s policy towards Iran and the United States is important.

While Iran’s fundamental policy is neighborhood policy, if the region’s assets are used against Iran’s interests, it will react. Iran has emphasized that it is within the framework of the inherent right of legitimate defense under article 51 of the United Nations charter. The Taliban will see it different.

It means that Taliban is worrying about the spreading of attacks to other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. In other words, Kabul leaders condemns the violation of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of countries.

Since 2021, the subject of Bagram has been repeatedly discussed in the political and security issues of the United States, and some officials described it as an important strategic position for Washington.

Donald Trump also had repeatedly spoken of taking back the strategic base of Bagram. However, the Taliban’s resistance to these calls is being praised by the Iranian government.

However, despite the domination of the United States and the Taliban’s campaign, the Taliban doesn’t have deep ideological hostility with the United States. The Taliban seems to have tried to keep itself away from the dispute between the United States and Iran. Also, While the Taliban relations with Washington are still based on mutual distrust, sanctions and political pressures and the lack of a vision, the Taliban’s practical tendency is more to Iran.

However, the Taliban need to maintain communications channels with the United States, release frozen assets, reduce sanctions, and acquire some kind of international legitimacy of the Taliban in a minimal interaction with the United States. In the meantime, any official alignment with Iran could result in sanctions and pressure from the United States.

Iran has one of the longest borders with Afghanistan and control of this border is vital for the Taliban. A relatively stable relationship with Tehran for the Taliban and internal affairs management such as the presence of Afghan immigrants in Iran, border cooperation and counter-security threats are needed. Therefore, it would prefer to have close interaction with its key neighbor than the United States.

An important part of Afghanistan’s foreign trade, transit routes, fuel imports and access to international ports are supplied through Iran. Avoiding serious tension with Tehran can benefit the fragile economy of Afghanistan. Thus, in spite of the war in Iran, the daily commute to 1300 freight cars and transporting goods through the khaf – Herat railway line is continuing.

Practical Taliban approach to Iran and the United States

Although the Taliban diplomacy has been based on supporting Iran, it is not entirely against the United States.

The practical behavior of the Taliban indicates a cautious tendency towards Iran and indicates the priority to maintain a rapprochement with Tehran. In fact, the behavior close to Tehran is mainly due to the requirements and neighborhood requirements rather than strategic and anti – western interaction.

In this approach, the Taliban tried to avoid or limit any alignment with Washington by keeping the political distance and limiting the interactions.

The Taliban are not willing to pay the price of the detection and disclosure of the full alignment with Iran, and immediate pressure of the United States. Therefore, the Taliban strategy, including: close to practical approach to Iran will continue without its official announcement and maintaining a political distance and a minimal relationship with the United States without entering into a direct confrontation.

It seems that in practice and speech, the Taliban in the future will also have an informal approach towards Iran. But it will never move into an open alliance with Iran.

In the case of the escalation war or conflicts between the United States and Iran, the Taliban’s strategy to maintain practical relations with Iran and condemnation and criticism of the United States will be preserved to ensure its interests and remain safe from entering a regional or more widespread war.

Samyar Rostami, а political observer and senior researcher in international relations   Follow new articles on our Telegram channel

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