Afghanistan’s Recognition Linked With an Inclusive Government, Says Iran

Iran, once again, stressed the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and maintained that this is the only way through which Iran will formally recognize Afghanistan. This time, the statement comes from Iran’s Foreign Minister, Amir Abdollahian, as he was in a joint press briefing with his Iraqi counterpart. A high-level delegation from Iraq led by the Foreign Minister visited Iran and held meetings with Iran’s Foreign Minister and other dignitaries. After the meetings, a joint press conference was organized in which Amir Abdollahian voiced that both Iran and Iraq have an agreement over recognizing the Islamic Emirate only if an inclusive government is established, which includes people from all ethnicities.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, the deputy spokesman of the Afghan Interim Government, Bilal Karimi, reiterated the stance of the interim government that the current government is inclusive. He maintained that over 80% of the employees of the previous government are performing their duties and they belong to all parts of the country and even at the cabinet and leadership level where changes have taken place and new people have assumed roles, all ethnicities are represented. Iran’s call for an inclusive government in Afghanistan is a concern shared by many other countries as well and a prime reason that even after the passing of eight months, Afghanistan has not been recognized by any country yet.

The past few days have remained tense between Iran and Afghanistan on account of the protests that were held in Kabul and Herat outside Iran’s embassy and consulate. The Afghans were angered over the perceived ill-treatment of the Afghan refugees in Iran. But the situation was soon put under control and Iran said that third party elements are trying to worsen ties between the two sides: “On Wednesday, a large number of people and political groups of Afghanistan tried to portray the common enemies of the two nations by presenting flowers to our staff and placing flowers to Iranian diplomatic buildings and diplomatic places in Afghanistan by appearing in front of the missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Common enemies of Iran and Afghanistan will not be able to conspire to cause problems and insecurity on common issues and in relations between the two countries,” the Iranian Foreign Minister told the press briefing. A quadrilateral meeting is also on its way between Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UNHCR to discuss the issues of the Afghan refugees.

Iran’s concern over inclusivity is also shared by the Development and Justice Party in Kabul, led by Sayed Javad Hosseini.