The Afghan Taliban refused to participate in this week’s regional meeting on Afghanistan in Tehran, underscoring the group’s continued isolation and unwillingness to address pressing regional concerns, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The source revealed that the Taliban informed Iranian officials they would not attend as a party “accused of supporting terrorism.” The group further demanded that Pakistan be barred from raising concerns about Taliban-backed militancy, a request that was reportedly rejected by the hosts. Ultimately, the Taliban decided to stay away from the talks, citing the absence of discussions on trade, development, and meaningful engagement with Afghanistan in the meeting’s agenda.
In addition, the Taliban requested that Iranian hosts avoid characterizing Afghanistan’s situation as a “crisis,” a move reflecting the group’s attempt to evade accountability for the country’s deteriorating political, economic, and security conditions. Analysts note that this stance highlights the Taliban’s growing detachment from regional realities and their unwillingness to engage constructively with neighbors on Afghanistan’s escalating challenges.
The Tehran meeting, held on Sunday, Dec. 14, brought together special envoys on Afghanistan from Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized at the opening that establishing regular dialogue mechanisms among Afghanistan’s neighbors is a “strategic necessity” to address common security and humanitarian concerns.
Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, underscored the urgent need for stability, warning that ongoing security threats emanating from Afghanistan continue to pose serious risks to the region. He stressed that the Afghan people deserve better conditions, highlighting the Taliban’s failure to deliver basic governance and security to their own citizens.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the meeting aimed to exchange views on developments in Afghanistan, including the tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, reflecting the international community’s growing alarm over the insurgent group’s policies and behavior.
Observers suggest that the Taliban’s absence marks another setback for regional efforts to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian and security crises, while Pakistan continues to play a constructive role in promoting stability and dialogue. The Taliban’s repeated refusals to engage with neighboring countries raise serious questions about their commitment to peace, regional cooperation, and the welfare of the Afghan people.
The Taliban have not publicly commented on their decision to skip the Tehran meeting. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s proactive diplomatic engagement reinforces Pakistan’s position as a responsible regional actor working to curb extremism and support the Afghan population amid ongoing turmoil.
