Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, has said that his country will work to facilitate and accelerate interactions and cooperation with the Taliban, particularly in border areas.
Iranian news agencies reported on Friday evening, December 19, that Pezeshkian made the remarks during a televised speech at the conclusion of his visit to South Khorasan Province, which borders Afghanistan.
He said that “many needs can be met through cross-border cooperation.”
The Iranian president added that the governor of South Khorasan has been granted the authority to speed up the process of engagement and cooperation with the Taliban.
However, disputes over water rights from the Helmand River and the entry of Afghan migrants into Iran have been cited as major challenges between the two sides.
A regional meeting in Tehran on developments in Afghanistan, focused on reducing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, was held, but the Taliban declined to attend the meeting.
