Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Kabul on Sunday, the first visit by a high-ranking Iranian official to Afghanistan since the Taliban took power. The one-day visit is aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaie said.

Tasnim News Agency reported that Araghchi met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki on the first day of his visit. Later, he will hold talks with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, state TV reported.

The talks are likely to focus on border security, strengthening political ties and increasing economic ties. Iranian officials said that water-filled ditches will be built alongside barbed wire to further strengthen the border, so that fuel and goods smuggling, especially drugs, can be stopped and illegal immigration can be prevented.

Iran has long maintained an active diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, but has not officially recognized the Taliban government since its establishment. An Iranian parliamentary delegation once visited Afghanistan in August 2023 to discuss water sharing.