Iran launches separate talks with Taliban in response to UAE, Saudi Arabia, US

Iran and the Taliban are engaged in negotiations, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said in a meeting held in Kabul on Wednesday with Hamdullah Mohib, the National Security Advisor to Afghanistan’s president.

“The series of (Iran’s) connections and negotiations with the Taliban have been held with the knowledge of the Afghan government, and this process will proceed,” Shamkhani was quoted by Tasnim news.

While there is much talk of Iran’s influence in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, little is known about Tehran’s growing role in Afghanistan.

Iran has been maneuvering boldly to shape Afghanistan for its own good, over the years, when the United States disbanded the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

As in Iraq, Iran is using it for its own interest relentlessly to spread its influence.

Accompanied by a number of senior Iranian security, military and political officials, Shamkhani arrived in Kabul on Wednesday morning for an official visit.

This rare official statement comes after the Afghan peace talks were held in the United Arab Emirates this month, which Saudi Arabia said would had "fruitful results" early next year, bolstering hopes of progress to end the 17-year-old war.