Iran and the Taliban: Paths of Cooperation and Confrontation

Iran and the Taliban have historically been at odds due to deep-rooted religious and ideological differences. These divisions trace back to key historical events, such as the era of Hazrat Ali and the tragedy of the bloody Karbala. Iran represents Shiite Islam, while the Taliban claims to symbolize Sunni Islam. Beyond religious distinctions, linguistic, cultural, and tribal differences have further fueled tensions, leaving little common ground for fostering amicable relations. Even in official meetings between the Taliban and Iranian authorities, interpreters are often used to facilitate better communication. A recent example is the meeting between the Iranian foreign minister and the Taliban premier in Kabul, where an interpreter was used to facilitate the discussions.
From the outset, Iran-Taliban relations were fraught with severe tensions. The murder of eight Iranian diplomats at the Iranian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif by the Taliban in 1998 nearly sparked an armed confrontation. However, Iran managed to contain the crisis, avoiding further escalation. In response, Iran supported the anti-Taliban resistance, known as the Northern Alliance, with financial and military assistance.
Following the Taliban’s fall in 2001 at the hands of the international coalition and Afghan resistance forces, Iran dramatically shifted its approach. While viewing the presence of American forces in Afghanistan as a threat to its national security, Iran sought to establish close diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, maintaining its influence within the country’s political spectrum through various channels. Concurrently, some Taliban members who fled Afghanistan following the collapse of their regime were permitted to reside in Iran. Reports published in many reliable newspapers suggest that the Taliban received military training in camps within Iran and benefited from financial and military support provided by Iran and Russia to fight against the international coalition forces and the Afghanistan government.

The Taliban’s Return to Power and Iran’s Approach

After the Taliban regained power in 2021, Iran swiftly moved to normalize diplomatic relations and maintained its embassy in Kabul open and working. Despite mutual distrust, Iran-Taliban relations remain pragmatic and driven by “instrumental use,” with both sides leveraging their interactions to secure their respective interests.
The Taliban and Iranian forces have engaged in multiple clashes along their shared border, fueled by diplomatic tensions over water rights, a historical agreement according to which Afghanistan has the obligation to allow certain amount of water to flow into Iran.

Iran-Taliban relations are shaped by two primary considerations: security and economics.

1. Security Considerations

Iran seeks to maintain tensions between the United States and the Taliban, aiming to prevent U.S. influence within the Taliban hierarchy. Additionally, Iran views the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan as a significant security threat, as the mistrust and bloody conflicts between these two irreconcilable sects of Islam have a long history with the recent battles they fought in Syria and Iraq. To counter this extremist group and prevent its spillover into Iran, it is willing to collaborate with the Taliban by all means to crush this group.

Another concern for Iran is the potential threat posed by Sunni Baloch opposition groups in the border regions of Iran and Afghanistan. Given the ideological affiliation and possibility of alignment between ISIS, Baluch opposition groups, and the Taliban, Iran strives to maintain amicable relations with the Taliban to mitigate such risks.

2. Economic Considerations

Iran and the Taliban occasionally engage in pragmatic economic cooperation. Afghanistan, grappling with a severe economic crisis since the Taliban’s return to power, relies on trade with neighboring countries, including Iran. On the other hand, Iran benefits from these economic exchanges to alleviate the impact of international sanctions, leveraging Afghanistan’s market to support its faltering economy.

Conclusion

The relationship between Iran and the Taliban is characterized by a complex mix of tension and cooperation, driven by shifting strategic interests. Despite deep-seated ideological, cultural, and historical differences, shared security and economic concerns have prompted both parties to adopt a pragmatic approach, fostering relations based on mutual benefit.