Why Iran agreed to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistan, which boasted of its nuclear bomb in front of Muslim countries after a heavy defeat to Afghanistan, is facing great humiliation. Pakistan, which claims to be a Muslim superpower, is knocking on every door and begging for someone to mediate Afghanistan. But the Afghan Taliban is not giving up. Afghanistan is now threatening to invade Islamabad and attack Pakistan. Panicked by this, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his ministers are knocking on the door of one Caliph and the door of the other Caliph to resolve the issue with the Taliban.

First, Shahbaz and Pakistan Army Commander Asim Munir tried to broker peace with Afghanistan through mediation expert Qatar Emir Al Thani, but the peace agreement in Doha failed. Later, even Turkish leader Erdoğan in Istanbul could not convince Afghanistan. Pakistan now has the real Caliph. And now Iran is ready to take on the responsibility of mediating peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Why does Iran want to get involved in the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan? Is Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Pakistan’s last hope to get rid of Afghanistan?

On the one hand, Pakistani leaders are moving like lions in front of Afghanistan to impress their own people, threatening Kabul with war. On the other hand, when Afghan leaders emerge, Pakistanis become cowards to appease them.

Today, Pakistani Interior Minister Muhsin Naqvi, known as the ‘loot thief’ among Indians, was caught on camera begging the leader of the Afghan Taliban in Iran. This is the same Mohsin Naqvi who stole the trophy from the Indians after winning the Asia Cup and ran away.

According to news from Tehran, during the meeting between Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and Naqvi, Pezeshkian started to beg Iran on the orders of Asim Munir, and then the Iranian President also made a statement.

• Iranian President Masood Pezeshkian offered assistance to end the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• After his meeting with Mohsin Naqvi, Pezeshkian said Tehran was ready to mediate between the two Muslim countries.
• Pezeshkian advised both countries to increase efforts to reduce tensions and prevent conflict in the region.
• Iranian President said that Muslim countries should unite and stand together against their enemies.

Why does Pakistan believe that Iran can mediate peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan?

1. Iran has borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
2. Iran has approximately 921 km of border with Afghanistan and 960 km of border with Pakistan. Therefore, it is of equal importance for both countries.
3. Iran influences both the Sunni Taliban and the Shiite Hazara community in Afghanistan. This means the Afghan Taliban could listen to Iran.
4. Iran can also influence Afghanistan through natural gas pipelines, electricity supply and the Chabahar connection project. These are the things Afghanistan can get from Iran; Qatar and Türkiye cannot be of direct benefit to Afghanistan.
5. Additionally, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is greatly respected in Afghanistan. Therefore, there is a possibility that Afghanistan may soften its stance if it intervenes personally.