Iran’s special representative for Afghanistan arrived in Kabul on Monday on his first visit to hold talks with the Taliban on economic and political issues.
Hassan Kazemi-Qomi was appointed by President Ebrahim Raisi (Raeesi) as special envoy in the aftermath of the Taliban victory in Afghanistan in August.
The Iranian embassy in Kabul had announced that Kazemi-Qomi would visit to negotiate with the Taliban over “regional issues, migrants, humanitarian assistance and the formation of an all-inclusive government.”
Iran initially welcomed the Taliban victory as a sign of US weakness and defeat but later it adopted a more cautious approach as attacks increased against Shiites in Afghanistan. Tehran has demanded that the Taliban ensure security for all citizens.
The Iranian envoy after arriving in Kabul said he would hold discussions about how to advance “constructive relations” between Afghanistan, Iran and regional countries. Other Iranian officials have been in contact with the Taliban since August.
Kazemi-Qomi, who is said to have been an officer in the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, served as the first Iranian ambassador to Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein.