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Border clash reported between Iran and Taliban

Taliban And Iran: The Impossible Alliance May Already Be Crumbling
After the Sunni fundamentalist Taliban rulers retook control of Afghanistan, there were initial, friendly signals exchanged with Iran's Shia regime. But a recent border skirmish recalls tensions from the 1990s, when Iran massed troops on the Afghan frontier.
Taliban And Iran: The Impossible Alliance May Already Be Crumbling



The clashes reported this week from the border between Iran and Afghanistan were perhaps inevitable.
There are so far scant details on what triggered the flare up on Wednesday between Iranian border forces and Taliban fighters, near the district of Hirmand in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. Still, footage posted on social media indicated the exchange of fire was fairly intense, with troops on both sides using both light and heavy weaponry.
The border between the two states remained shut amid reports of continuing clashes, though neither Kabul or Tehran authorities have commented on the incident.
Border clashes
According to certain sources, it began with Taliban fighters firing onto Iranian frontier stations from their positions in the Kang district in the province of Nimruz. Other sources claim the Taliban have taken control of several Iranian border posts, while the Amaj publication states that people have fled those areas.
The website Khabar Online, believed to be close to the former parliamentary speaker and disqualified presidential aspirant Ali Larijani, also reported Iranian positions falling into Taliban hands, before removing its report.
Different from the Taliban who 'chopped heads off'.
It was less than five months ago, in July, that Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he hoped "we shall have good relations with the Islamic Republic." And so far, the Islamic Republic of Iran has enjoyed warm relations with the Taliban.
Iran previous foreign minister, Mohammadjavad Zarif, had hosted them in Tehran before they took power. Once the Taliban had conquered Kabul, the conservative Tehran newspaper Kayhan insisted this lot differed "from the Taliban we knew, who chopped heads off."
image.jpg

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press briefing in Kabul
Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/ZUMA
Afghanistan's "new generation"
Iran's ambassador in Kabul, Bahadur Aminian, met with the Taliban acting Information and Culture minister in late October, and the two sides agreed they would work together to consolidate cultural ties, boost tourism and revive the country's "cultural patrimony."
In Tehran, the legislator Ahmad Naderi told the Tehran Times last January that the Taliban were an "authentic" regional resistance force Iran should befriend, and the cruelties associated with them — including against Afghanistan's Shias — were the work of their "first generation," and the "new generation is different." Another Taliban apologists is the former defense minister, Ali Shamkhani, now an adviser on defense issues to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Fars news agency, which is close to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, has meanwhile whitewashed the Taliban altogether by reporting attacks on "Iranian farmers" by unspecified armed men coming from "areas where bandits and traffickers were active."
The Iranian foreign ministry has said the "border disagreement" was resolved on December 1, with the efforts of "border guardsmen on both sides," with no mention of any Taliban involved.
 
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Taliban And Iran: The Impossible Alliance May Already Be Crumbling
After the Sunni fundamentalist Taliban rulers retook control of Afghanistan, there were initial, friendly signals exchanged with Iran's Shia regime. But a recent border skirmish recalls tensions from the 1990s, when Iran massed troops on the Afghan frontier.
Taliban And Iran: The Impossible Alliance May Already Be Crumbling



The clashes reported this week from the border between Iran and Afghanistan were perhaps inevitable.
There are so far scant details on what triggered the flare up on Wednesday between Iranian border forces and Taliban fighters, near the district of Hirmand in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. Still, footage posted on social media indicated the exchange of fire was fairly intense, with troops on both sides using both light and heavy weaponry.
The border between the two states remained shut amid reports of continuing clashes, though neither Kabul or Tehran authorities have commented on the incident.
Border clashes
According to certain sources, it began with Taliban fighters firing onto Iranian frontier stations from their positions in the Kang district in the province of Nimruz. Other sources claim the Taliban have taken control of several Iranian border posts, while the Amaj publication states that people have fled those areas.
The website Khabar Online, believed to be close to the former parliamentary speaker and disqualified presidential aspirant Ali Larijani, also reported Iranian positions falling into Taliban hands, before removing its report.

It was less than five months ago, in July, that Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he hoped "we shall have good relations with the Islamic Republic." And so far, the Islamic Republic of Iran has enjoyed warm relations with the Taliban.
Iran previous foreign minister, Mohammadjavad Zarif, had hosted them in Tehran before they took power. Once the Taliban had conquered Kabul, the conservative Tehran newspaper Kayhan insisted this lot differed "from the Taliban we knew, who chopped heads off."
image.jpg

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press briefing in Kabul
Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/ZUMA
Afghanistan's "new generation"
Iran's ambassador in Kabul, Bahadur Aminian, met with the Taliban acting Information and Culture minister in late October, and the two sides agreed they would work together to consolidate cultural ties, boost tourism and revive the country's "cultural patrimony."
In Tehran, the legislator Ahmad Naderi told the Tehran Times last January that the Taliban were an "authentic" regional resistance force Iran should befriend, and the cruelties associated with them — including against Afghanistan's Shias — were the work of their "first generation," and the "new generation is different." Another Taliban apologists is the former defense minister, Ali Shamkhani, now an adviser on defense issues to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Fars news agency, which is close to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, has meanwhile whitewashed the Taliban altogether by reporting attacks on "Iranian farmers" by unspecified armed men coming from "areas where bandits and traffickers were active."
The Iranian foreign ministry has said the "border disagreement" was resolved on December 1, with the efforts of "border guardsmen on both sides," with no mention of any Taliban involved.

Some second hand website has done the classic which is copy past.

Besides I don't know why this thread is even active.. This thing was a non-event and both sides of officials issued statements saying exactly that what more is there to talk about...
 
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It is Iran that has tried numerous times to go against the Taliban...ranging from verbal tirades against their government

I've seen no such tirades from Iranian government officials.

to having meetings with India excluding Afghan Taliban. Any issues that exist are purely on ur side. So plz save this lecture for ur own countrymen.t

Yes, one meeting in which Pakistan participated as well, along with Russia, China and others. If you're going to blast Iran on this one, you can direct the same criticism towards Pakistan which had so little to object that it felt comfortable taking part in it actively.

By the way, I do "lecture" those Iranians who call for intervention against the Taleban. I've been having related discussions with several on the Iranian Chill Thread before. As I explained elsewhere, the revolutionary faction and core of the establishment in Iran (including Supreme Leader, IRGC, Quds Force) do not want the functional relationship they established with the new Afghan rulers to be compromised. It's the western-apologetic liberals (reformists, moderates) - the same ones who would like Iran to stop supporting Hezbollah, the Palestinians and Syria, who've been calling for action against the Taleban and launching media campaigns to this effect, but they failed and they don't call the shots, especially with president Raisi in charge now.

Afghanistan's new government checks more boxes than this yet Iran uses political rhetoric of inclusiveness to assert her colonial intentions for all her neighbours.

Call me when they choose a Tajik or Uzbek or Hazara or Nurestani or Baluch as their Supreme Leader. Not that Iran will want to impose anything on them, it's them who decide and others can only express their sincere views. Iran has colonial intentions in zionist and NATO rhetoric only.
 
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I've seen no such tirades from Iranian government officials.
So why is it that Iranian government was so much in pain when Taliban defeated anti Taliban northern alliance remnants in Panjshir?

Was Iran recognizing/supporting Taliban government in Afghanistan by speaking out in favor of their enemies(northern alliance)?

...and no I'm not about to search it all and post links to spoon feed u. Either u r feigning ignorance...or u were living under a rock this whole time as the Afghan situation was unfolding. Feel free to Google it urself.
Yes, one meeting in which Pakistan participated as well, along with Russia, China and others. If you're going to blast Iran on this one, you can direct the same criticism towards Pakistan which had so little to object that it felt comfortable taking part in it actively.
Lmao...is this a joke? Pakistan has been the only country that has been trying to convince US to talk to Afghan Taliban since decades. Finally when it happens and US/NATO forces pull out...and Afghan Taliban form a government...
- it is Iran that criticized Taliban for defeating anti Taliban northern alliance forces in Panjshir and elsewhere...
- even going as far as to indirectly pointing to Pakistani military intervening in Panjshir clashes.
- asking for "inclusive government"...a veiled attempt to ask the Taliban to include other factions.
- participating in multiple meetings that don't include Afghan representation(not just the one hosted in Iran...u r conveniently forgetting the one hosted by India).

To anyone reading news throughout this US/NATO pull out of Afghanistan and the negotiations, etc.
...it is clear where Iran stands about Afghan Taliban government. Iran has sort of followed a stance closer to India than actually trying a constructive role in Afghanistan in the wake of new ground realities. These recent clashes labelled as a "misunderstanding" are just but a small indication of the uneasy relationship that exists between Iran and Afghan Taliban...so idk who u r trying to fool. It is obvious even to a blind man where Pakistan stands on this...and where Iran stands.
 
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Has Iran not done all of the above thus far?
- Iran has supported groups inside Pakistan.
- Iran has worked closely with India(Chahbahar port) and under the guise of business...providing Indian RAW officer(Kulbhushan Jadhav) cover to infiltrate into Pakistan to coordinate terrorist groups like BLA.
- As for Kashmir...last I remember any Muslim majority countries siding with Pak...it was Turkey and Malaysia. When was the last time Iran took a stand against India to do right by the ppl of Kashmir?

Plz...keep these empty threats to urself. Pakistan doesn't want Iran as an enemy and doesn't take actions to create animosity...
...while Iran has taken actions that would create animosity(examples given above). If animosity with Iran would be detrimental to Pak's security...it would be even worse for Iran. US, Israel, and GCC would be spending tons of money to arm Pakistan to the teeth...
...US might even be willing to put a temporary leash on India so they can use Pakistan as a pawn against Iran.

See above...talk is cheap. Pakistan is not ur enemy...but if u insist on making an enemy out of Pakistan...it will be an end of ur 42 year old infant Islamic Republic of Iran.
Pakistan was already American base against Iran so don’t blame them if they worked with India also you support the taliban who are Iran’s enemy.
 
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Pakistan was already American base against Iran so don’t blame them if they worked with India also you support the taliban who are Iran’s enemy.

Except Iran and Taliban are allies both you and the guy you replied to know nothing about the regional politics they have water sharing agreements, large amount of trade including pipeline agreements. They are regional allies and trade allies
 
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Pakistan was already American base against Iran so don’t blame them if they worked with India also you support the taliban who are Iran’s enemy.

Taliban are Persians. They are not enemies of Iran.
 
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Iran and AT must not involved in regional conflict, the region needs peace and both countries must respect each others borders, whoever is trying to poke the other must stopped this nonsense immediately.
 
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Pakistan was already American base against Iran so don’t blame them if they worked with India also you support the taliban who are Iran’s enemy.
Retarded reply...as expected. U got proof of Pakistan helping US against Iran? Or u just pulling sh*t out of ur ***? Plenty of proof exists of Iran working with India on anti Pak agenda(as I listed in my previous post).
 
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Retarded reply...as expected. U got proof of Pakistan helping US against Iran? Or u just pulling sh*t out of ur ***? Plenty of proof exists of Iran working with India on anti Pak agenda(as I listed in my previous post).


Is this not off topic tho for this topic.. You can open new thread for such things brother.. dead horse and overtalked
 
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So why is it that Iranian government was so much in pain when Taliban defeated anti Taliban northern alliance remnants in Panjshir?

Depends what you define as "so much". Iran preferred the issue to be settled through negotiations, because Iran wants national reconciliation in Afghanistan, not more instability and conflict. The more local forces join the new post-US government by setting aside their differences, the greater the legitimacy and stability of the Afghan state.

Was Iran recognizing/supporting Taliban government in Afghanistan by speaking out in favor of their enemies(northern alliance)?

Did the event affect Iranian-Afghan relations in a meaningful way? Were ties downgraded, did Iran opt for backing armed anti-Taliban opposition? No.

...and no I'm not about to search it all and post links to spoon feed u. Either u r feigning ignorance...or u were living under a rock this whole time as the Afghan situation was unfolding. Feel free to Google it urself.

Actually I've been following it the situation rather closely. Hence why I'm suggesting you have an exaggerated perception of the supposed rifts between Iran and the Taleban-controlled Afghan government.

Lmao...is this a joke? Pakistan has been the only country that has been trying to convince US to talk to Afghan Taliban since decades. Finally when it happens and US/NATO forces pull out...and Afghan Taliban form a government...
- it is Iran that criticized Taliban for defeating anti Taliban northern alliance forces in Panjshir and elsewhere...

Elsewhere? As an example, in Herat Iran and the Taleban jointly negotiated a non-violent transition of power, and upon Tehran's request the Taleban respectfully escorted Ismail Khan to the border.

Yes, Iran criticized the Taleban over the Panjshir operation, but that doesn't mean there's a major crisis going on between the two sides. Even allied nations criticize each other at times over specific policies or decisions.

Nor does it take away from:

- Currently ongoing cooperation between Tehran and Kabul, in the economic realm, on water, on inter-confessional relations, against "I"SIS etc.

- Iran's past military support for the Taleban against US occupiers, with Taleban leaders such as Mullah Mansur actually residing in Iran for years.

- even going as far as to indirectly pointing to Pakistani military intervening in Panjshir clashes.

The Iranian government never made such a claim nor insinuation.

Some media and individuals or the liberal opposition to the administration may have, but not the government.

- asking for "inclusive government"...a veiled attempt to ask the Taliban to include other factions.

An acceptable proposition that would benefit the Taleban themselves. A friendly, not a hostile advice.

By the way, prior to coming to power, the Taleban themselves stressed their willingness to create an inclusive administration all the time.

- participating in multiple meetings that don't include Afghan representation(not just the one hosted in Iran...u r conveniently forgetting the one hosted by India).

As said, if participating in these conferences was proof of hostility against the Afghan government, then the same would hold true of Pakistan, which had no problems with dispatching a delegation to the Tehran conference. Obviously Islamabad would not join the one held in India of all places.

To anyone reading news throughout this US/NATO pull out of Afghanistan and the negotiations, etc.
...it is clear where Iran stands about Afghan Taliban government. Iran has sort of followed a stance closer to India than actually trying a constructive role in Afghanistan in the wake of new ground realities.

In my book, maintaining diplomatic relations at an identical level, keeping alive the extensive economic exchanges, especially hyper cheap fuel exports which the viability of the Afghan government largely depends on, cooperating in the security realm (locally and vis a vis the opposition such as in Herat, as well as nationwide against "I"SIS), settling the water issue that had with the former Aghan regime and more, qualifies as a constructive role.

These recent clashes labelled as a "misunderstanding" are just but a small indication of the uneasy relationship that exists between Iran and Afghan Taliban...so idk who u r trying to fool. It is obvious even to a blind man where Pakistan stands on this...and where Iran stands.

These clashes mean nothing and are definitely due to lacking experience of Taleban border guards who were mistaken, thinking Iranian farmers had crossed the border when they didn't. Remember the Taleban have had zero experience in manning western border posts for the past 20 years. Nothing in this incident was planned or ordered by higher authorities in either capital, and it has had no impact on bilateral relations between the two neighbors.
 
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