Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, stressed the importance of positive engagement with other countries based on a balanced foreign policy during the opening day of the “Tehran Dialogue Forum.”
He described the suppression of ISIS as one of the achievements of the caretaker government and stated that stability in Afghanistan serves the interests of neighboring, regional, and global countries.
The acting foreign minister said: “Over the past nearly four years, we have successfully established nationwide security, eliminated the threats of ISIS and other insurgent elements, dismantled tribal warlordism and narcotics cultivation, and brought administrative corruption down to zero.”
Muttaqi highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s foreign policy, asserting that security in Afghanistan benefits the entire world. He emphasized that for the past 40 years, Afghanistan has been a victim of global power rivalries due to a lack of balanced foreign policy.
He added: “Through close cooperation with regional and extra-regional partners, we aim to transform Afghanistan from a battlefield of global powers into a hub for understanding and cooperation among nations.”
The acting minister also noted that Afghanistan is pursuing an economy-focused foreign policy to become a connector between countries.
In response to a question about the Helmand River water agreement with Iran, Muttaqi clarified that the Islamic Emirate has no ill intent regarding Iran’s water rights:
“We consider it a religious and moral responsibility. If a fellow Muslim suffers from thirst and we can help, it is both a charitable deed and a sound policy.”
During the forum, the president and foreign minister of Iran also emphasized fostering friendly relations with neighboring countries, including Afghanistan.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “Iran shares borders with nearly 15 neighboring countries. We have family ties across all our borders—Azerbaijan with Azerbaijanis, Kurdistan with Kurds, Khuzestan with Basra and Iraq, and to the east with Afghanistan and Pakistan. In essence, we are all one family.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated: “Under President Pezeshkian, the Islamic Republic of Iran has defined its foreign policy along three foundational axes: maximum engagement with neighbors, expanding cooperation with emerging actors, and balancing relations with global powers.”
The two-day Tehran Dialogue Forum hosted 200 delegates and high-level officials from 53 countries, including a delegation from the caretaker Afghan government led by Amir Khan Muttaqi.