RASC News Agency: Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, a prominent Afghanistani jihadist leader, has traveled to Iran for medical treatment. Speaking at a press conference, ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei underscored that Afghanistan is a diverse society, and the visit of a high-profile Afghanistani figure to Iran should not be considered unusual. He stated, “Sayyaf has traveled to Iran solely for medical reasons.” Responding to a question regarding the presence of an Afghanistani jihadist leader in Iran, Baghaei remarked, “Afghanistan is a multifaceted society with numerous political figures and factions. The visit of any Afghanistani personality to Iran should not be seen as an extraordinary event.” He further downplayed the significance of the visit, noting that travel between Afghanistan and Iran is routine and does not necessarily warrant attention.
While he refrained from explicitly naming Sayyaf, he stated, “As far as I am aware, the individual in question has come to Iran for medical purposes.” However, previous reports have suggested that Sayyaf’s visit was not merely medical in nature. Media outlets reported that he traveled to Iran at the invitation of senior Iranian officials and held meetings with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and high-ranking commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A former official from Afghanistan’s previous government and a close associate of Sayyaf also confirmed that the veteran jihadist leader had been invited by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Sayyaf has been a vocal critic of the Taliban and remains one of its most prominent opponents. Earlier reports indicated that during his visit, he engaged in discussions with Iranian officials regarding Afghanistan’s political landscape and potential avenues for resolving the ongoing conflict. He was also reported to have met with Afghanistani political factions currently residing in Iran.
