KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban condemned joint US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran as an “act of aggression” and expressed condolences to the Iranian government and people following the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement on Monday, the Taliban foreign ministry said Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group’s foreign minister, conveyed the remarks during a telephone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as the two discussed recent developments in the region.
According to the statement, Muttaqi criticized the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy to resolve the crisis peacefully.
“Muttaqi emphasized that the Taliban rejects violations of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the borders of countries, considering them contrary to accepted international principles,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, Araghchi thanked the Taliban for its expression of sympathy and outlined Tehran’s assessment of the ongoing military exchanges, including Iran’s countermeasures.
The telephone exchange came as military confrontations continue between Iran, Israel, and the United States. The US–Israel operation, which began on Saturday, reportedly caused hundreds of casualties in Iran, including senior political and military figures.
In response, Iran has launched missile strikes in Israel and on US military bases across Gulf countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Casualties have also been reported among US service members and within Israel.
The Taliban had previously issued a statement expressing concern over rising regional tensions, though it did not mention Khamenei’s death at that time.
The latest Taliban remarks come amid signs of closer ties between the group and Tehran. Iran’s ambassador to Kabul recently said discussions on formal recognition of the Taliban government were underway and suggested recognition by Tehran could happen soon. Over the past four years, the Taliban and Iran have maintained close political and economic relations, while generally taking a cautious approach to regional tensions involving Iran and Gulf states.
