Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that exchanges between Iranian officials and the Islamic Emirate are essential to serve the shared interests of both nations.

He said that Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the Tehran Dialogue Forum, held fruitful discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister and other senior officials.

In a press briefing, Baghaei said: “The visit of the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan’s caretaker government to Tehran was for participation in the Tehran Dialogue Forum, and alongside the event, he also had constructive talks with our Foreign Minister and other officials.”

However, some experts warn that despite cultural and historical commonalities, issues such as the Helmand River water rights and the situation of Afghan migrants continue to cast a shadow over bilateral relations.

Political analyst Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria said: “Given the deep cultural and historical ties between Afghanistan and Iran, both countries possess significant opportunities. By utilizing these opportunities, they can establish sound and beneficial trade relations. These ties can grow in all fields and such cooperation could lead to peace, stability, and progress for both nations.”

Another political analyst, Najib-ur-Rahman Shomal, stated: “Issues such as disputes over Iran’s water rights, the Afghan refugee crisis, border tensions, drug trafficking, and the lack of formal recognition of Afghanistan’s caretaker government by Iranian officials are obstacles that have overshadowed the expansion of bilateral interactions.”

Previously, Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, emphasized the importance of positive engagement based on a balanced foreign policy during his speech at the Tehran Dialogue Forum.