Taliban representatives from Afghanistan held another round of talks in Tehran to put an end to the 17-year-long conflict, the Iranian foreign ministry said Monday.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said that talks between the Taliban delegation and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi took place Sunday with the knowledge of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Ghasemi said the two sides discussed "security issues aimed at driving the peace process in Afghanistan."
He also said that Araqchi will visit Afghanistan in the next two weeks to discuss common cultural, economic and political affairs. He will also tackle strategic cooperation between the two neighbors.
Five joint committees are dedicated to addressing this cooperation, said the foreign ministry.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani confirmed last week in Kabul that such talks have taken place in the past and would continue.
Taliban reiterated rejection to meet any representative of the Afghan government in Kabul. There will not be any peace deal in Afghanistan before the withdrawal of foreign forces, it affirmed.
The movement turned down a proposal by US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad for a six-month ceasefire, during his talks with a Taliban delegation two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi. The talks were attended by representatives from Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Iran is seeking to play a greater role in the Afghanistan peace process. The Taliban, meanwhile, is seeking to rule the country should foreign forces withdraw. It has been assuring Afghanistan’s neighbors that its rule will guarantee peace, security and stability.
Months earlier, Taliban struck understandings with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It also discussed with Pakistani authorities affairs of Afghani refugees in Pakistan.
