Context
Media reports have circulated this week reflecting that Iran is planning to step up cooperation with Taliban in Afghanistan. Moreover, The Wall Street Journal indicated that Iran has allowed Taliban to set up an office in the eastern city of Zahedan.
Former Taliban official denied that Taliban has any intent on opening an office in Iran. “This is absolutely impossible. The Taliban would not open an office in Iran because the Afghan people will blame them for any Iranian intervention or attacks. I strongly reject this,” Sayed Akbar Agha said.
According to The Telegraph, intercepted communications between the Iranian Quds Force and Revolutionary Guard Corps have reveled that Iran also plans on sending surface-to-air missiles to Afghanistan.
If Iran provides weapons to the Taliban it would be a significant escalation and may also prove to be a game-changer in Afghanistan. Iranian support can also damage Taliban’s reputation with financiers from Gulf region.
