The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and swift collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul last summer shocked not only the United States and its allies in the 20-year struggle in that country, but also Afghanistan’s influential neighbor, Iran. As refugees continue to stream into Iran, the Tehran government has still not recognized the Taliban regime and is worried about a further deterioration in Afghanistan’s economy and social cohesion as well as the growing presence of Sunni Jihadi militants.

The Atlantic Council Future of Iran Initiative and South Asia Center invite you to a discussion about Iran-Afghan relations and whether similar US concerns about Afghanistan’s fragile state provide a basis for tacit cooperation between Washington and Tehran similar to what existed when the Taliban was last in power. The panel will also discuss a new issue brief by journalist and non-resident senior fellow Borzou Daragahi, entitled – Afghanistan: Where US-Iranian Interests May Yet Intersect.

The discussion will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET. A link to the meeting will be sent to those who register to attend. The event is open to press and on-the-record.

Speakers

Fatemeh Aman
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Middle East Institute

Borzou Daragahi
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Atlantic Council

Nilofar Sakhi
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Atlantic Council

Moderated by

Barbara Slavin
Director, Future of Iran Initiative
Atlantic Council