In a significant move, Iran has made a formal mediation offer to help resolve tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The mediation offer comes amid increasing border clashes and stalled negotiations, with the mediation offer now drawing regional attention.
Iran’s Foreign Minister said the mediation offer reflects Tehran’s willingness to see dialogue succeed over conflict. According to reports, the Iranian official told Afghan and Pakistani counterparts that the mediation offer is grounded in the belief that “brotherly Muslim countries” must avoid escalation.
In a recent meeting in Tehran, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. During the talks, the mediation offer was welcomed by Pakistan, which said it values any constructive role that can reduce regional tensions.
The mediation offer follows the collapse of recent talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including rounds in Istanbul and Doha, which failed to narrow differences on critical security and counter-terrorism issues. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of allowing militants to launch attacks from its soil, while Kabul objects to cross-border operations by Islamabad.
As Iran positions itself as a mediator, analysts caution that the success of the mediation offer will depend on both Pakistan and Afghanistan agreeing on ground rules and enforcement mechanisms. Without tangible progress, the mediation offer could stall like earlier efforts. Pakistan has previously indicated it may seek a third-party oversight structure to monitor any agreement.
Separately, this mediation offer appears alongside broader regional diplomacy efforts. For instance, Pakistan recently moved to ease barter-trade rules with Iran and Russia, another indication of shifting economic and strategic ties in the region. That agreement was outlined in a public report, which states: “Pakistan eases barter trade rules with Iran and Russia.”
Whether this mediation effort advances into concrete talks or remains a symbolic move, Iran’s offer has introduced a new dimension to the Pakistan-Afghanistan dynamic. The mediation offer may bridge the gap, or highlight how deep the divide remains.
