Iran has offered to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan as military tensions between the two neighbouring countries escalate sharply.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighbourly relations. Writing on X on Friday, he urged restraint during the holy month of Ramadan.
در ماه مبارک رمضان، ماه خویشتنداری و تقویت همبستگی در جهان اسلام، شایسته است افغانستان و پاکستان اختلافات موجود را در چارچوب حسن همجواری و از مسیر گفتوگو مدیریت و حلوفصل کنند. جمهوری اسلامی ایران آماده هرگونه مساعدت در تسهیل گفتوگو و تقویت تفاهم و همکاری میان دو کشور، است. pic.twitter.com/5CI7M456aJ
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 27, 2026
“In the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of self-restraint and strengthening solidarity in the world of Islam, it is fitting that Afghanistan and Pakistan manage and resolve their existing differences within the framework of good neighbourliness and through the path of dialogue,” Araghchi said.
He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to assist in facilitating talks and strengthening understanding between the two countries.
Araghchi also shared a verse by renowned Persian poet Saadi Shirazi:
“The children of Adam are limbs of one another, for in creation they are made of the same essence.”
According to Afghan officials, Pakistan conducted air strikes in multiple locations across Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul as well as Kandahar and Paktia Province. Large explosions were reported in central Kabul around 02:30 local time (2200 GMT).
An Afghan government spokesperson stated that no casualties were reported from the strikes. However, Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister, claimed that 133 Afghan soldiers were killed and more than 200 wounded in counterstrikes. He also said 27 Afghan military posts, two corps headquarters, and more than 80 tanks and armoured vehicles were destroyed.
Pakistani security sources reported that an ammunition depot and a logistics base were struck in Kandahar. Additionally, Pakistani forces allegedly captured five Afghan military posts in the Paktia region and raised Pakistan’s flag there.
Earlier in the week, at least eight Afghan soldiers and two Pakistani soldiers were killed during a four-hour border clash one of the deadliest exchanges between the two sides in recent months.
Last week Pakistani air strikes killed 70 “terrorists.” and repeatedly accused militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of operating from Afghan territory — allegations that Kabul strongly denies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the escalating clashes. His spokesperson said he urges all parties to comply with international law and pursue a diplomatic solution.
