Afghan Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Ahead Of U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration: 'U.S. And NATO Are Common Enemies Of Afghanistan And Iran, Which Necessitates Stronger Ties Between Kabul And Tehran'

Speaking at events ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), has accused the West, especially the U.S., of waging a media and spy war against the Taliban government.

According to a January 4 report by Afghan news channel and website Tolo News, Stanikzai, speaking to the audience of students at a madrassa graduation ceremony, said the intelligence agencies of regional and global powers were "fully engaged" in a spy and media war against IEA, which is yet to receive formal diplomatic recognition from any country since seizing power in August 2021.[1]

"If [ISIS] carries out an incident in Kabul, the world immediately claims that there is no security in Afghanistan and that this place is a hub of terrorism, urging countries to gather and form a consensus. But in the U.S., there were two attacks on Trump, and no one claimed that security was lacking there. The purpose of all this is that the world has launched an intelligence and media war against us," he added.[2]

Stanikzai, the Taliban's deputy foreign minister

On the night of December 22, 2024, a meeting was organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment to welcome Alireza Bikdeli, Iran's new ambassador to Kabul. An Afghan media report titled "Stanikzai Calls for Regional Unity Against West" quoted Stanikzai as saying: "The U.S. and NATO are common enemies of Afghanistan and Iran, which necessitates stronger ties between Kabul and Tehran."[3]

Addressing the gathering, Stanikzai said: "One or two weeks from now, [Donald Trump] will come to power. He should change his policy, abandon Biden's policy, and create a new approach. From Afghanistan and the Islamic Emirate's side, the path is open for them."[4]

However, the Taliban deputy foreign minister added: "If they intend friendship, we will extend a hand of friendship as well. An enemy does not remain an enemy forever, and a friend does not remain a friend forever."[5] Stanikzai said: "The U.S. and the Western world, particularly NATO, are not in an armed war against us, but they are at war with us in politics and economics. They exhibit the same attitude and behavior toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, our enemies are mutual, and both countries need to deepen and strengthen their friendly relations."[6]

Addressing the Iranian ambassador, Stanikzai said: "We hope, Mr. Ambassador Sahab, that during your period and under your leadership in Afghanistan, our relations will not only grow in the economic field but also in politics, education, and other trade-related matters. We hope to witness a day when our two friendly and neighboring countries become so close that we can jointly respond to all the challenges imposed on us from outside, particularly by Western countries and the United States."[7] He added: "The appointment of Iran's new ambassador to Afghanistan is a positive step toward strengthening political and trade relations between the two countries... Iran is a good friend with shared religious, cultural, trade, and transit connections with Afghanistan.[8]

"Uniting Asian countries, especially Iran, China, and Afghanistan, is crucial. Strengthening the economies of both nations depends on increasing trade transactions and creating opportunities for joint investments between traders of the two countries," Stanikzai said.[9] He also stated: "Currently, the border between Iran and the Islamic Emirate, which spans more than 900 kilometers, as far as I have studied, is one of the safest borders between two Muslim countries, with no major incidents reported."[10]

Stanikzai (third from left) at the meeting organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment to welcome Iranian envoy Alireza Bikdeli

Speaking on the occasion, Alireza Bikdeli, the new Iranian ambassador, said: "Afghanistan has been a good friend of Iran for many years, and the economic dynamics of countries depend on trade exchanges and joint investments;" "Holding exhibitions and trade meetings is crucial for increasing exports and imports between the two countries."[11]

The website of the Iranian Embassy in Afghanistan says that Alireza Bikdeli told the meeting: "We will strive to further develop Iran's trade, political, and transit relations with Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran's policy prioritizes trade with neighboring countries. Implementing the agreements reached between the two countries, including providing Chabahar Port's trade facilities for neighboring countries and Afghanistan, is among the fundamental policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran."[12]

The Iranian ambassador added, "Iran and Afghanistan have complementary economic capacities, and strengthening the economies of both nations depends on increasing trade transactions and creating opportunities for joint investments between traders of the two countries. The strengthening of economic ties between Afghanistan and Iran is tied to expanding commercial exchanges and facilitating joint investment opportunities for traders from both nations."[13]

Mohammad Younis Mohmand, the deputy head of Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Investment, also addressed the gathering, saying: "The role of Chabahar Port is vital for developing international trade and transit between Afghanistan, the Gulf countries, and India... There is a need for more commercial facilities for traders at this port."[14] Mohmand added: "Afghanistan is a country rich in natural resources, especially minerals and agriculture, and the essential extraction of such resources depends on good neighborly relations between the two countries... The three-year achievements of the government, including nationwide security, reduction in administrative corruption, and combating poppy cultivation, can provide a good foundation for expanding economic and trade relations and joint investments between the private sectors of both countries."[15]