ISLAMIC EMIRATES OF AFGHANISTAN AND IRAN: RELATIONS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study examines the bilateral relationship between Taliban-led Afghanistan and Iran since 2021, focusing on pragmatic cooperation amid regional shifts and Afghanistan’s international isolation. Key areas explored include cross-border security, water distribution, trade, and the Taliban’s efforts for international recognition. Drawing on both primary and secondary sources and using a constructivist realist framework, the research highlights progress in diplomatic engagement while identifying ongoing challenges—such as ideological differences, water disputes, and refugee management—that may affect future cooperation and stability between the two nations.