Iran's Pezeshkian offers to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran that Iran is ready to help lower tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after recent talks collapsed. The offer followed the failure of negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Türkiye, and came hours after Islamabad confirmed that the discussions had ended without progress. The first round of talks in Doha was convened after week-long border clashes triggered by Afghan Taliban forces, who were described as acting with support from TTP elements. Pakistan’s response included precision strikes inside Afghanistan and, according to officials, the killing of more than 200 militants. Twenty-three Pakistani soldiers were also martyred in the fighting. A ceasefire was announced on October 19 and a follow-up round began on October 25 in Istanbul, where Pakistan presented a counterterrorism framework. Those talks broke down after five days, with Pakistani authorities attributing the collapse to what they called the Taliban side’s ‘illogical’ approach. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later alleged that actors in Kabul, influenced by India, undermined the process and said the Taliban delegation repeatedly backtracked after consulting superiors. During his meeting with Naqvi, President Pezeshkian said Iran places special importance on relations with Pakistan and acknowledged Islamabad’s longstanding support. The two sides also discussed border management and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.