Driving the news:
In a phone conversation on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, discussed the latest regional developments and bilateral relations, focusing on recent border clashes between Kabul and Islamabad and the long-standing Helmand River water dispute.
Why it matters:
The escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan risk deepening instability in a region already grappling with humanitarian and security challenges. Iran’s diplomatic engagement positions it as a potential mediator between the two key neighbors whose relations have been strained by border skirmishes and refugee movements.
What he is saying:
Araghchi expressed “concern over recent developments and clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” urging both sides to “exercise restraint, halt hostilities, and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.” He added that “continued tensions between the two Muslim countries not only lead to human losses but also jeopardize the stability of the entire region.”
The top Iranian diplomat also “announced the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness to help reduce tensions and facilitate constructive dialogue between the two brotherly and Muslim countries.”
Muttaqi, for his part, told Araghchi that Afghanistan prefers the path of dialogue and peace over military confrontation.
Zoom in:
The conversation also addressed the long-disputed issue of Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River. Both sides emphasized the need to uphold existing water agreements and enhance technical cooperation to manage shared resources better and prevent waste. They agreed on “the importance of joint action to secure Iran’s water rights and optimize the use of water resources during the current season.”
The other side:
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its security forces, while Kabul rejects the allegations, accusing Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty through cross-border shelling. The recent escalation has raised fears of renewed conflict along the shared frontier.
Go deeper:
Iran Urges Diplomatic Solution to Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Tensions
Zohre Khazaee - Mojtaba Darabi
