The ruling Afghan Taliban, through top spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, declared in an interview on Sunday it is prepared to offer its “full support” to Iran in the event of an American attack. Mujahid reportedly made the remarks in an interview with Radio Iran that he published on his social media accounts. He was responding to questions about tension between Iran in the United States and ongoing attempts to organize talks between the leaders of both states.
The government of Iran is currently engaging in a preliminary negotiation process with representatives of President Donald Trump, discussing during a first round of talks in early February the parameters for any potential future talks through an intermediary in Oman. Subsequent reports suggest that Iran, embroiled in a bloody crackdown against protesters and dissidents generally that some suggest has resulted in tens of thousands massacred, is seeking to negotiate an alleviation in the strict sanctions program it is facing through negotiations with the Trump administration. Sanctions on Iran intensified significantly last year after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found the country in breach of international law on nuclear energy development, triggering “snapback” sanctions paused during President Barack Obama’s tenure.
