Now Reading: Iran hosts Taliban, Northern Alliance at Khamenei funeral
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Iran hosts Taliban, Northern Alliance at Khamenei funeral
The Hindu reports that during the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delegations from both the Taliban and the opposition Northern Alliance were present in Tehran. The Taliban sent…
The Story in Brief
The Hindu reports that during the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delegations from both the Taliban and the opposition Northern Alliance were present in Tehran. The Taliban sent Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, while the Northern Alliance sent Ahmed Massoud, son of the group’s founder. The two groups have been rivals since the 1990s.
Iran has built strong influence with Kabul since the Taliban takeover in 2021 but does not officially recognise the government. Historically, Tehran, along with India and Russia, supported the Northern Alliance. The simultaneous presence of both sides highlights Iran’s delicate balancing act on its eastern front.
The Indian Opinion
Iran’s hosting of both the Taliban and the Northern Alliance at the same funeral is not duplicity but a pragmatic hedge. Critics may call it cynical, but Tehran has long balanced its Shia identity with realpolitik on its eastern flank. The real test will be whether it can maintain this influence without alienating either group or its own domestic base. Will Iran eventually recognise the Taliban government, or keep waiting for a more stable Afghan settlement?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
