In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Mohsen Rouhi Sefat referred to the final statement of the second meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran, China, Russia, and Pakistan, held about Afghanistan in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and stated: The statement shows that the main challenges and concerns that the foreign ministers had raised in their first meeting, still exist and are still outstanding.

He called security issues the most crucial concern of Afghanistan’s neighbors. He added: Foreign ministers have expressed their concern about the spread of cross-border terrorism and extremism from Afghanistan into neighboring countries, and in that meeting, the names of all those groups have been mentioned more clearly; names of groups with Pakistani, Iranian, Uzbek, Chinese and other groups that operate internationally in Afghanistan and it was emphasized that those groups are the source of concern for neighboring countries and if Afghanistan wants a positive sign for interaction with neighboring countries, it is essential that those groups do not stay in Afghanistan.

The analyst of international affairs listed the issue of narcotics as one of the other issues that have been emphasized by Afghanistan’s neighbors as a challenge and said: This issue has worried Afghanistan’s neighbors in the past, and statistics show that the export of such drugs from Afghanistan to other neighboring countries has been developed more than the past and even within the borders of that country, the number of industrial drug-producing laboratories has dramatically increased, and the discovery of drug smuggling shipments at Iran’s borders by the police force is also a proof of it.

Rouhi Sefat further noted: This concern has been emphasized by all the neighbors, who have announced that the export of such materials has increased.

He pointed to the situation of human rights and women’s affairs and the threats against them among the issues of concern of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors. He added: The situation of human rights and women’s affairs is still a cause of the problem in Afghanistan and has reached worse indicators than the ministers’ first meeting; during this period, the entry of girls into universities has been hindered.

The former Iranian diplomat reminded: The situation of minorities and the type of political system were also taken into consideration in the final statement of the Samarkand meeting, and the ministers emphasized that the Taliban is a tribal group that did not come to power by the people and are not representing them, but instead came to power by force; therefore, they cannot represent all the people.

Rouhi Sefat referred to the emphasis of Iran’s foreign minister on the necessity of creating an inclusive government in Afghanistan and continued: In Afghanistan, this criticism was raised that in which country there is an inclusive government that Afghanistan should have an inclusive government? But it should be answered that in other countries, when a government takes power, it is through public votes and on behalf of the entire people, and this action is done through a process. An inclusive government is a government that comes from all classes and clans, and even the majority of the people of a country may vote for one group, clan, and party. Still, the Taliban took this power by force and cannot represent the whole people.

He emphasized: The Taliban have come to work by force of arms, and all past concerns about the future situation of Afghanistan remain. In this situation, the issue of identification has no basis.

At the same time, the expert on international affairs said: During this period, the relations between the neighboring countries and the Taliban increased, which is a positive development. It will be evaluated positively to the extent that it is possible to contact and hold talks with them to influence their views and convey concerns to their leaders to bring a change in their governance. Communication helps bring about change through dialogue.

Rouhi Safat, emphasizing that all countries should keep in mind that the Taliban are still not in a position of recognition, added: The statement of the foreign ministers in Samarkand shows the increasing concern of the neighboring countries regarding the developments in Afghanistan.

Saying that the problems of Afghanistan should be solved at the domestic, regional, and international levels, he explained: The dialogue between the neighbors and the Taliban is the right path that should be used at the right time, and the right time is the conditions in which the Taliban inside Afghanistan are taking steps to solve the problem. In the current situation, the rulers of Afghanistan are still not convinced that there is a problem. According to Afghanistan’s international, national, and even traditional standards, the situation in that country is not appropriate.

The former Iranian diplomat stated: The Taliban rule with power and the force of bayonet, and there is no opportunity to express public views. Therefore, we cannot witness a positive result until they want to use different points of view within the government. Suppose the Taliban do not want to use other points of view. In that case, they should provide a capacity for an election in which the people choose their rulers themselves so that the weight of the Taliban’s desirable role-playing will be determined in the eyes of the people.

Rouhi Safat pointed to the warning of foreign ministers at the Samarkand meeting regarding establishing military bases in and around Afghanistan and its consequences and said: There is interaction and agreement between the Taliban and the United States. The Doha agreement results from direct talks between the Taliban and the United States; no party denies it. Undoubtedly, the Taliban are also interested in deepening and expanding this dialogue with the United States. Their numerous statements show they are willing to solve their problems with the United States and develop relations.

He continued: The Taliban adjust the type of relations with other countries based on the kind of relations with the United States so that there are no adverse effects on their relations with the United States. However, military cooperation and expanding military bases cannot happen in the short term when the US does not have political ties or an embassy in Afghanistan.