Diplomats and special envoys from Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors, along with Russia, gathered in Tehran on December 14 and 15, 2025, for a high-stakes regional summit aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. The meeting, hosted by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together representatives from Pakistan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Notably absent were the Taliban authorities, who declined the invitation—an omission that would ultimately underscore the divisions and challenges facing regional diplomacy.
According to MNA, the summit opened with remarks from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who emphasized that the security of Afghanistan is “directly tied to the interests of all neighbouring countries.” Araghchi underlined the need for regular dialogue mechanisms, arguing that these gatherings are essential for preventing misunderstandings, coordinating policies, and fostering economic, border, and humanitarian cooperation. “No extra-regional blueprint can resolve regional problems and crises,” he cautioned, echoing a growing regional sentiment that solutions must come from within, not be imposed from outside powers.
Iran’s top diplomat also sought to highlight Afghanistan’s economic potential, envisioning a future where the country could serve as a vital corridor linking Central Asia and South Asia with West Asia and the Asia-Pacific. Improved conditions in Afghanistan, Araghchi suggested, could turn it into a hub for trade and energy transit—an enticing prospect for countries eager to see the region prosper. Yet, as the summit unfolded, it became clear that such ambitions would be difficult to realize without a unified approach to security and governance in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s delegation, led by Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs Mohammad Sadiq Khan, made its position clear. Addressing the assembled envoys, Sadiq stressed that terrorism emanating from Afghanistan continues to pose a “big challenge for the region.” He called on the de-facto Taliban authorities to take concrete steps to rid Afghan soil of all terror networks, stating, “The foremost step in this regard would be to rid Afghan soil indiscriminately of all types of terrorists.” Sadiq further underscored that only an Afghanistan free from such threats could inspire confidence among its neighbors and unlock the country’s “immense economic and connectivity potential.”
The Pakistani envoy’s message was echoed in bilateral talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and expanding cooperation on Afghanistan and broader regional stability. As reported by Radio Pakistan and The Express Tribune, Sadiq thanked Iran for hosting the summit and expressed hope that the gathering would play an effective role in promoting peace and development across the region.
Despite these earnest exchanges, the summit ended without a joint communiqué—a clear sign of the divisions that persist among Afghanistan’s neighbors. Diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune that while there was consensus that terrorism from Afghan soil remains a significant threat, participants could not reconcile their positions on other critical issues, particularly regarding engagement with the Taliban regime and the path toward regional security. The Taliban’s refusal to participate further complicated efforts to coordinate a unified strategy, limiting the immediate diplomatic impact of the meeting.
Iran, for its part, had sought to broaden the dialogue by facilitating talks among anti-Taliban Afghan political groups ahead of the summit. These discussions culminated in the “National Solidarity of Afghanistan’s Political Parties and Movements” declaration, which called for resolving the Afghan crisis through political dialogue. Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan’s former foreign minister, described the Tehran meeting as “an important opportunity to advance a political process” and urged regional countries to support the launch of intra-Afghan negotiations, ideally in cooperation with the United Nations.
Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, the situation on the ground in Afghanistan remains tense and volatile. According to Afghanistan International, armed opposition groups claimed responsibility for attacks in Kunduz on December 11 and 13, resulting in the deaths and injuries of Taliban members, though the Taliban did not comment on these claims. The United Nations has noted that such armed opposition fronts, while active, have not posed a significant challenge to Taliban rule in recent months, with six groups claiming responsibility for 41 attacks over a three-month period.
Internal strife within the Taliban movement has also come to the fore. At a religious school graduation in Paktia province, a senior Taliban official, Jawad, reiterated the group’s commitment to defending its “Sharia-based system” and warned that any imposed war would be met with fierce resistance. His remarks, reported by Afghanistan International, reflect ongoing debates within the Taliban about authority, obedience to the movement’s leader, and the proper balance between religious and modern education.
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has come under fire for controversial actions in Kabul’s Darulaman area. Residents, most of whom are Shia, protested after Taliban officials exhumed graves and halted burials, claiming the cemetery was within a green zone. At least 38 people, including a mosque imam, were reportedly detained, with no information on their whereabouts days later. Locals allege that the Taliban’s justice minister is attempting to force them out of the area through intimidation—a charge that follows earlier allegations of forced evictions and land seizures in the same neighborhood.
These incidents have fueled criticism of the Taliban’s governance, not only from local communities but also from within the movement itself. In a recent speech, Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani criticized the leadership’s reliance on fear and intimidation, warning that such tactics would breed resentment and ultimately undermine the regime’s stability. Haqqani’s remarks, juxtaposed with those of other Taliban officials calling for absolute obedience, highlight the internal tensions and divergent visions for Afghanistan’s future.
For the region’s neighbors, the stakes could hardly be higher. Pakistan’s focus on terrorism reflects its immediate security concerns, particularly cross-border attacks and militant networks using Afghan territory as a safe haven. China, Russia, and the Central Asian states, meanwhile, are reportedly more focused on broader regional stability and the economic opportunities that a peaceful Afghanistan could provide. Iran, by hosting the summit and facilitating dialogue among Afghan factions, is seeking to position itself as a mediator—though the lack of a joint outcome demonstrates the limits of such efforts when key actors remain at odds.
Despite the absence of a formal agreement, the Tehran meeting signaled a willingness among regional powers to keep the lines of communication open. As the diplomatic process continues, the challenges of forging consensus—both among Afghanistan’s neighbors and within Afghanistan itself—remain daunting. But as Araghchi, Sadiq, and others made clear, the quest for peace and stability in Afghanistan is not just a local issue; it is a regional imperative, with consequences that will reverberate far beyond the country’s borders.
