Political and Analytical Narratives

Afghanistan, as a landlocked country, has long depended on Pakistan’s Karachi Port for approximately 30–40% of its total trade. Located nearly 480 kilometers from Kabul, Karachi represents the closest major seaport for Afghanistan, offering faster and more cost-effective transportation, supported by established logistics networks and relatively affordable shipping options. This structural dependence has made Afghanistan particularly vulnerable to disruptions along the Pakistan border, which has historically remained a zone of political tension and security instability.

Iran seeks to maintain tensions between the United States and the Taliban, aiming to prevent U.S. influence within the Taliban hierarchy. Additionally, Iran views the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan as a significant security threat, as the mistrust and bloody conflicts between these two irreconcilable sects of Islam have a long history with the recent battles they fought in Syria and Iraq. To counter this extremist group and prevent its spillover into Iran, it is willing to collaborate with the Taliban by all means to crush this group.