In an apparent criticism of the United States’ approach to the Afghan Peace Process,  Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan Bahadur Aminian said the peace process needed to come out “of the monopoly of certain countries.”

Calling the insurgent group a “reality in Afghanistan,” the Iranian envoy said, “the peace process should come out from under the monopoly of certain countries and must be returned to its real track. The conditions in Doha won’t be able to ensure the best interest of the Afghan people, the envoy added.

The comment came at a time when a delegation led by Mullah Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy leader, is camping in Tehran to discuss the peace process with the Iranian leadership. The US, which has repeatedly called for regional consensus for peace in Afghanistan, has kept Iran out of its efforts in building that consensus, mainly due to its own troubled bilateral relationship with the country.

Aminian also said Iran didn’t "play its rivalry with the US" in Afghanistan and expected the same in return.

Iran, which enjoys a transactional relationship with the Taliban, has criticized the Taliban repeatedly on many occasions. The country also called the insurgent group to reduce violence in Afghanistan.

After Pakistan, it is Iran which is the most important regional player in Afghanistan. But unlike Pakistan, the country does prefer a complete military takeover of the Afghan government by the Taliban.   

A high-ranking Iranian official reportedly recently told the Taliban delegation that Iran would not recognize any movement that seeks to come to power through wars in Afghanistan.