Tehran, Feb. 27 — Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to settle their disputes through dialogue and good-neighbourly relations, saying Tehran is ready to help facilitate talks between the two countries.
In a post on X, Araghchi said the holy month of Ramadan, a time for spiritual reflection and unity across the Islamic world, offered an opportunity to ease tensions and seek peaceful solutions. He said the Islamic Republic of Iran stands prepared to offer any assistance needed to promote dialogue and cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad.
His call comes amid sharply heightened tensions after recent cross-border incidents. The Afghan Ministry of National Defence said on Feb. 26 — the 9th of Ramadan — that retaliatory operations along the Durand Line killed 55 Pakistani soldiers. The ministry said the action, launched the previous night, responded to an earlier alleged incursion by Pakistani forces and resulted in the capture of two bases and 19 posts.
Pakistan responded with an operation it named “Ghazab Lil Haq,” according to media reports. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister, Mosharraf Zaidi, claimed that Pakistani strikes killed 133 fighters of the Afghan Taliban, wounded more than 200, destroyed 27 Taliban positions and captured nine posts.
The Taliban’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused the Pakistani military of carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, saying there were no reported casualties.
Iran, which shares borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, has repeatedly stressed the importance of regional stability and diplomatic engagement to defuse disputes. Araghchi’s offer to help mediate reflects Tehran’s stated interest in lowering tensions and fostering dialogue among neighbouring countries.
The competing claims of casualties and territory have not been independently verified; the reports cited here reflect statements from the Afghan defence ministry, Pakistani officials and Taliban spokespeople.
