KABUL, Afghanistan: Iran and Afghanistan called for enhanced cooperation during a visit to Kabul by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, the highest-level Iranian official to visit the Afghan capital since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
Araghchi met with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Mutaqi, and Taliban government Prime Minister Hassan Akhund during a one-day visit to discuss relations between the neighbouring countries that spar over issues including migration and water resources.
The two sides covered economic cooperation, the situation of Afghan migrants in Iran, border issues and water rights, an Afghan foreign ministry statement said.
The top Iranian diplomat described Iran and Afghanistan as two friendly, brotherly, and Muslim nations, saying that they have profound cultural and historical connections, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.
He also expressed optimism that his current visit would help enhance bilateral relations, secure the national interests of both countries, and foster cultural interactions.
He hoped that “during this trip we will be able to further expand the ties in line with the national interests of both sides”, emphasising security and economic arenas.
Muttaqi “expressed hope that [Araghchi’s] visit to Kabul would create further momentum in relations between the two countries and they would enter a new phase of bilateral relations”, the Afghan foreign ministry said.
Many countries closed their embassies in Kabul or downgraded diplomatic relations after the Taliban takeover that ousted the US-backed government, but Iran has maintained active diplomatic ties with Afghanistan’s new rulers, though it has yet to officially recognise the Taliban government.

Several Iranian delegations have visited Afghanistan over the years, including a parliamentary delegation in August 2023 to discuss water rights.
Tensions between the countries have intensified in recent years over water resources and the construction of dams on the Helmand and Harirud rivers.
Araghchi said the issues of water and migration demanded expanded cooperation and called for the full implementation of bilateral water treaties, according to an Afghan foreign ministry statement.
Muttaqi said the region was suffering from climate change-induced drought and that Taliban authorities were “trying to ensure that water reaches both sides” of the Iran-Afghanistan border.
Muttaqi and Akhund also called for the situation of Afghan migrants in Iran to be improved and for their “dignified” return to Afghanistan.
Afghans returning from Iran have accused Iranian authorities of wrongful deportation and physical abuse.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is repatriating illegal nationals to their country “in a respectful manner”.
Iran shares more than 900 kilometres of border with Afghanistan, and the Islamic republic hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world – mostly Afghans fleeing decades of war.
Iran’s engagement with the Taliban comes under scrutiny as the group continues to face criticism for its human rights record and failure to form an inclusive government, raising questions about long-term stability in Afghanistan.