Tehran in communication with Taliban: Iranian official

By Muhammet Kursun

TEHRAN (AA) - A top Iranian security official confirmed Wednesday that Tehran is in contact with the Taliban militant group -- with Kabul’s knowledge -- with a view to engaging in dialogue.

According to a statement released by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, who is currently visiting the Afghan capital, has raised the issue with Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan presidency’s national security adviser.

While in Kabul, Shamkhani is also slated to meet Abdullah Abdullah, who has served as chief executive of Afghanistan since 2014.

The two men are expected to discuss cooperation against terrorism and organized crime along their roughly 900-kilometer-long shared border.

According to the SNSC statement, Iran’s ongoing contact with the Taliban is aimed at “resolving Afghanistan’s perpetual security crisis”.