Iran-Afghan relations: A historical analysis

Abstract

Iran is an actual neighboring state of Afghanistan and shares a long border of 936 km. Iran is a critical country with stakes in neighboring Afghanistan and shares historical, cultural, economic, and linguistic ties. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops, civil war erupted in Afghanistan; as the result of the civil war, the Taliban emerged and Iran supported Northern Alliance against the Taliban militants. Tehran considered the Taliban regime a threat to its national security because the Taliban follows the Sunni sect of Islam and Iran is a Shitte state. The incident of 9/11 changed the security structure of the world and foes became friends in several cases. The American invasion in Afghanistan provided a chance for Iran to come closer to the new regime in Afghanistan. Iran supported the U.S. troops against the Taliban militants but considered them a threat to Tehran. Iran also was facing militant movements in its Sunni majority provinces. Iran did not enjoy cordial ties with the U.S. after the 1979 revolution. The end of the Taliban regime provided an opportunity for Iran to enhance its historical and cultural ties with Kabul. The American presence in Afghanistan was not in favor of the theocratic state Iran. Tehran had cordial relations with the Afghan government in Kabul and working on various projects in Afghanistan. Iran also has ties with hardcore militants of the Taliban. This research highlights the historical relations of Iran and Afghanistan.