ISLAMABAD: Monitoring Desk – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed Tehran’s readiness to assist in easing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Araqchi and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
The two sides reviewed various aspects of bilateral ties, including the positive course of cooperation in economic, trade, and border areas, and emphasized their shared determination to expand relations across all fields of mutual interest.
Muttaqi expressed solidarity with Iran and wished success and prosperity for its government and people in the face of threats. He stated that Afghanistan remains committed to its obligations within the framework of existing agreements between the two countries and would spare no effort to cooperate with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Afghan diplomat also provided a report on recent border developments between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have significantly decreased in recent days and that the situation along their common borders is moving toward relative stability and calm.
Araqchi, for his part, elaborated on regional developments and the consequences of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, stressing the need for Islamic countries to remain vigilant against expansionism and divisive actions by the Zionist regime in the region.
He also expressed appreciation for Afghanistan’s recent cooperation regarding the Helmand River Water Treaty of 1973, as well as cooperation concerning the Harirud River.
Araqchi also thanked Afghanistan for its goodwill and assistance in facilitating the transit of Iranian nationals during the third imposed war, and described the supportive stances of the Afghan people and officials toward Iran as encouraging and valuable.
Appreciating Afghanistan’s expressions of solidarity with Iran in the face of attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime, Araqchi welcomed de-escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and announced Iran’s readiness to provide any assistance to help resolve differences and strengthen peace between the two neighboring Muslim countries.
On 28 Feb 2026, The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the escalation of clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for the immediate start of dialogue to halt the fighting and reduce tensions.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran expressed deep concern and regret over the intensification of conflict between the two neighboring and Muslim countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the security and humanitarian consequences arising from it.
The ministry called for the immediate initiation of dialogue and engagement between the two countries to stop the conflict and de-escalate tensions.
The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has not only resulted in human casualties and material damage for the two neighboring countries, but will also lead to increased insecurity in the surrounding region as well as humanitarian and security consequences for the entire region, it warned.
While renewing Iran’s call on both sides to respect each other’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty and to refrain from any action that could escalate tensions and conflict, the statement announced Tehran’s readiness to provide any assistance to reduce tensions and facilitate dialogue between the two countries in order to completely halt the conflict and reach mutual understanding.
Pakistan has launched airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, and other cities, as clashes escalate along the two countries’ shared border.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience had run out with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, declaring that the two countries are now at “open war”.
The declaration came hours after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying out “large-scale offensive operations” against the Pakistani military along the Durand Line, which separates the two countries.
This follows weeks of fighting along the countries’ shared border, with both sides claiming that dozens of people have been killed.
Hostilities are taking place against a backdrop of an escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities since the latter’s return to power in 2021.
