Mojtaba Khamenei: We are ready to take “necessary measures” to improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan

In his New Year’s message (Friday), Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasized the special importance of Afghanistan and Pakistan for Iran and described these two countries as very close to Iran.

He directly called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to improve their relations, calling the two countries “brothers.” Khamenei emphasized that efforts to achieve greater cooperation and understanding between the two countries are necessary “for the sake of God’s will” and to prevent division among Muslims.

The Iranian leader announced that he was personally ready to “take the necessary steps to facilitate and improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

This stance comes at a time when tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over security issues have increased sharply in recent months, with both sides witnessing border clashes along the supposed Durand Line and airstrikes.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that militant attacks against Pakistan are being organized from Afghan soil. However, the Islamic Emirate has denied these claims and stressed that Afghanistan is not responsible for “Pakistan’s security failures.”

This message could be a sign of Iran’s willingness to play a mediating role or reduce tension in the region.