Iran will not recognize a government in Afghanistan that is made up of a single ethnic group, Iranian Ambassador to Kabul, Bahadur Aminian said, warning that the current economic condition will pave the way for more extremism. Iran, which has kept its embassy in Kabul open following the regime change in August, has not yet recognized the Taliban government. 

“If a group comes (to power) and the group is (comprised) of a single ethnic group and all other ethnic groups are not included in the government, we don’t accept it, and, therefore, we benevolently call on the Taliban rulers to form an inclusive government,” Aminian was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. 

In the 1990s, when the Taliban first came to power, Shia Iran had supported rival political groups opposed to the Sunni Taliban. For over four decades, Tehran has supported Afghan Hazara, a Persian-speaking Shia ethnic group. 

In the last decade, Iran developed a transactional relationship with the Taliban, which is mainly a Pashtun-dominated Sunni group, especially because of the common enemy, America. In September, when the Taliban announced its interim government, it was almost all Pashtun Talibani leaders. 

On the other hand, the Taliban has been resisting the demand for an inclusive government, terming it “interference in the country’s internal affairs.” 

Responding to Aminian’s remark, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson said, “Every country has their own definition of inclusive government based on their national interests.” He further asked, “Is the government or the cabinet of Iran based on other people's definition of inclusive?”

Since August 15, when the Taliban walked into the streets of Kabul, over 300,000 Afghans fled to Iran, fleeing the Taliban regime and dire humanitarian conditions. 

Expressing his concerns over the prevailing situation, the Iranian envoy said, “If the economic problems remain, it will cause more migration. If the economic problems remain, they will cause extremism, which will not only threaten Afghanistan but also the region,” 

Furthermore, like Central Asia countries, Tehran is also concerned about the rise of ISIS, which has mounted over four dozen attacks on the Taliban and Shia groups in Afghanistan since August. Tehran believes the Taliban’s reluctance in forming an inclusive government will further promote instability. 
(SAM)