Iran has been cautiously watching the rise of the Taliban on its eastern border as the terrorist group that once killed a dozen of their diplomats and massacred Hazara Shiites took over the capital. 

Like most other countries, Iran has few choices but to watch the Taliban consolidate authority over the entire country and reestablish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which ruled nearly 90% of the country before it was toppled by the United States for supporting al-Qaeda in 2001. According to statements by Iranian officials, it appears that Iranian authorities expected such a scenario and are hoping to avoid the previous tensions with the group.

President Ebrahim Raisi said today and that as a “neighborly and brotherly country Iran invites all of the groups in the country toward national reconciliation.” Raisi’s inclusion of “all groups” signals that Iran is willing to work with the Taliban once and if it fully takes over the country. 

Last month, outgoing Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hosted representatives from the Taliban and the Afghan government in Tehran for talks.