Crises in Afghanistan ...
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The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains friendly ties with both countries, sharing religious and cultural affinities, and despite its cautious and partial recognition of the Taliban government, Iran continues to operate an active embassy in Kabul and several consulates across Afghanistan.
Naturally, effective mediation requires more than cordial relations; it also depends on possessing direct interests and a clear will to help shape a desirable regional security framework. China, for instance, though maintaining good relations with both Islamabad and Kabul, has refrained from involvement, largely due to its lack of direct stakes or motivation to foster such arrangements.
Iran, by contrast, holds both the incentive and the interest to assume a more active mediating role. Yet one missing piece remains which is the weak connectivity among the media, research centers, and think tanks across the three countries. These institutions can play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding, developing a shared vocabulary, and building trust among policymakers.
It might be appropriate for the Iranian side to take the initiative by opening the door to such dialogues and second-track negotiations, thereby paving the way for the mediation efforts of its diplomatic apparatus.