Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reaffirmed Kabul’s commitment to resolving its differences with Pakistan through diplomatic channels and dialogue, during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations and the recent round of Afghanistan-Pakistan talks held in Istanbul, which aimed to ease growing tensions between the neighboring nations.

During the conversation, Araghchi emphasized the importance of addressing disputes through negotiation and reiterated Tehran’s readiness to play a constructive role in supporting regional peace.

Muttaqi stated that the Afghan delegation attended the Istanbul negotiations with “full authority and goodwill,” focusing on finding diplomatic solutions through mutual understanding. However, he noted that “the Pakistani side refused to accept any responsibility,” preventing concrete progress in the third round of talks.

The Iranian top diplomat also spoke separately with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to review the latest developments in Tehran-Islamabad relations and the state of Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue.

During that exchange, Araghchi stressed the longstanding friendship between Iran and Pakistan and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors. He voiced concern over the tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, calling for continued dialogue facilitated by regional powers to prevent escalation and promote stability.

Dar, for his part, briefed Araghchi on the ongoing discussions with Afghan officials, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the wider region.

All three nations agreed to continue consultations in the coming days to support diplomatic engagement and prevent further deterioration of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. (ILKHA)