The following statement has been given to the Next Century Foundation by Ayatollah Safavi, Head of the Safavid Order of Sufi Islam. Ayatollah Safavi is a key figure in Iran’s establishment and is regarded by many as expressing the view of the leadership in Iran. He emphasises the fact that Iran will not and does back the new government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This surprising declaration is perhaps unexpected by the international community. In his statement, he asserts that “ this interim government is in no way representative of all the beliefs, religious sects, ethnicities, and groups in Afghanistan.” And recommends that “the international community stand united in condemning the Taliban and pushing for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.”

The rest of the statement published by Dr Seyed Salman Safavi can be accessed via this link:  https://peace-ipsc.org/statements/recognising-and-legitimising-the-rule-of-taliban-in-afghanistan-is-a-historic-mistake