Still Standing

Taliban In Talks With Iran Over Its Role In ‘Post-Occupation’ Afghanistan

Meetings planning for Taliban role after U.S. drawdown confirmed by Tehran.

The Taliban says its leaders discussed their future role in Afghanistan’s “post-occupation situation” with Iran in a new meeting, the group said Tuesday. The comments come amidst widespread expectations of an extensive U.S. drawdown in the region. Significantly, Iran, which usually denies such contact with the Taliban, also confirmed Monday that the Taliban had visited Tehran for talks aimed at ending the 17-year Afghanistan war. The Taliban delegation discussed with Iran, “the post-occupation situation, restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region,” the militants said in a statement posted on social media and emailed to journalists.