Taliban Silence Is Golden — Especially When Washington Is Listening

As Iran reels from US strikes, the Taliban shift focus from old friends to new opportunities -- & the lure of American investment.

June 22, 2025 — As Iran’s leadership reportedly seeks refuge after U.S. airstrikes on the country’s nuclear and military sites, the Taliban have been largely silent. Despite Iran’s substantial military and financial support since the Taliban’s return to power four years ago, that favour is not being returned.

While the Taliban are closely linked to Iran’s coalition of anti-Israel groups, including Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah, Tehran’s leaders are unlikely to find sanctuary in Afghanistan.

In the hours after the U.S. strikes, the Taliban’s ministry of foreign affairs issued a statement condemning the strikes as an “unacceptable” breach of Iran’s sovereignty. It called for “all sides” — the United States, Israel and Iran — “to give diplomacy a chance in order to resolve the issue”.

The brief, bland statement reflects the pressure the Taliban now face as they enter into a new phase of negotiations with the United States that could end the regime’s diplomatic and economic isolation.