The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Iran has not decided whether to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, but its relations with Kabul will continue to expand regardless of the issue, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday.
Baghaei described recognition of the Taliban as a legal and political matter and said Tehran would make a decision when it reaches a conclusion on the issue.
He said Iran's relations with Afghanistan are good in several areas and that Tehran intends to continue developing those ties.
Speaking at a news conference, Baghaei pointed to the countries' shared border and religious, cultural and historical ties. He said Iran and Afghanistan should take each other's concerns into account and make greater use of their existing economic and trade opportunities.
Baghaei said Iran would continue and strengthen its relations with Afghanistan in various areas regardless of whether it formally recognizes the Taliban.
"The issue of recognition should not prevent the continuation and expansion of relations between Tehran and Kabul in various fields," he said, according to remarks reported by Iran's Foreign Ministry.
Iran has not formally recognized the Taliban since the group seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. But Tehran has maintained close relations with the Taliban authorities, and Iran's diplomatic missions in Afghanistan remain open.
Afghan diplomatic missions in Iran are also currently under the control of Taliban-appointed diplomats.
Iran is among a number of countries that have maintained diplomatic and economic engagement with the Taliban without formally granting the group recognition. Tehran has continued contacts with Kabul on issues including trade, border affairs and regional cooperation.
