Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Oct 18: Amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephonic conversation on Saturday to discuss regional stability, bilateral relations, and the growing conflict along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

According to Iranian state media, Araghchi expressed serious concern over the recent cross-border clashes and called for immediate restraint, warning that continued hostilities could destabilize the wider region and worsen humanitarian conditions. He reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to mediate and support peaceful dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad.

Muttaqi, for his part, emphasized the Islamic Emirate’s preference for dialogue and diplomacy over military engagement, updating Araghchi on the latest developments.

The two ministers also addressed the long-standing dispute over Helmand River water rights. Both sides agreed on the importance of upholding existing treaties, boosting technical cooperation, and ensuring Iran receives its fair share of water during the ongoing season.

This comes a day after senior Iranian and Afghan officials held talks in Kabul, focusing on border security, counter-narcotics efforts, and regional cooperation. Iranian envoy Alireza Bikdeli, senior foreign ministry official Mohammad Reza Bahrami, and Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani were present.

During the Kabul talks, Iran highlighted the need for stability along the shared border, while Haqqani reaffirmed the Taliban’s commitment to fostering respectful, peaceful ties with neighboring countries.

The renewed diplomatic outreach underscores Tehran’s growing role as a mediator in the region’s complex geopolitical landscape, especially as Afghanistan navigates fragile relations with its neighbors under Taliban rule.