KABUL (SW) Taliban representative visited Iran recently that was described by them as a “routine” trip to a neighboring country but analysts argue Tehran has a purpose behind it.
Zabehullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman said situation in Afghanistan, the region, Islamic world and the state of Afghan refugees in Iran were discussed. On Taliban’s official webpage, it wrote the trip was part of the routine by Taliban representatives to develop and strengthen ties with various countries of the world.
According to the Iranian press and Taliban sources, Tayyab Agha, close aide to Taliban supreme leader Mulla Omar, led this delegation to Tehran.
Ismatullah Qanay, an analyst told SW that the Taliban have no comprehensive policy and are rather manipulated by foreign spy agencies. He said in particular Iran has always pursued its strategic gains in the region. “Iran wants to utilities the anti-U.S. sentiments among the Taliban for its own good”, Qanay said.
In his views, Taliban have been used by various regional spy agencies besides the ISI of Pakistan.
The emerging threat-apparently to both Iran and Taliban-posed by advancement of the self proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISI) is also seen as a reason bringing the two together.
Political commentator Kabul Khan Tadbeer believed the militants were looking to mend ties with Iran in the wake of changing geo-politics in the region. “So far the triangle of Moscow, New Delhi and Tehran bared them (Taliban) from getting phenomenal support but now they (Taliban) are striving hard to change that in their favor”, he told SW.
Iranian government has rejected reports about Taliban visit despite reports in various Iranian publications about it.
The denied by the Tehran government did not sound strange to Afghan political analyst Firdos Kawish.
“The Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has greater control over the country’s intelligence in comparison to the government of President Hassan Rouhani, so it is possible that the Taliban might have talks and the Rouhani government might not know much about it”, Firdos said.
He said since the government was not leading these talks hence President Rouhani and his team did not wanted to cause troubles with the Kabul government by acknowledging visit by the Taliban.
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