Iran’s UN Envoy: Taliban’s Restrictions on Women Lack Any Religious or Islamic Legitimacy

RASC News Agency: Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has described the plight of Afghanistani women and girls as “grave” during a UN Security Council session on Afghanistan. He asserted that the Taliban’s restrictions on women are devoid of any basis in Islamic law or religious doctrine and stand in stark contrast to Afghanistan’s cultural traditions. Citing the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iravani on Tuesday, March 11, urged the de facto Taliban authorities to reassess these measures and take immediate action to restore women’s rights. He further described Afghanistan’s security landscape as “highly unstable,” warning that the presence of terrorist groups particularly ISIS not only threatens Afghanistan but also poses a significant risk to regional and global stability.
He called on the Taliban to honor Afghanistan’s international obligations in combating terrorism and to prioritize counterterrorism efforts. Additionally, he underscored that Afghanistan is grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, urging Taliban officials to cease interference in humanitarian operations to ensure unimpeded access to aid for those in need. In his address to the Security Council, the Iranian diplomat also pressed for the unconditional release of Afghanistan’s frozen central bank assets. He further claimed that legal Afghanistani migrants in Iran face “no restrictions” and asserted that Iranian consulates in Afghanistan issue 5,000 visas daily for Afghanistani citizens.
However, Iravani’s concerns over Afghanistan’s security come against the backdrop of Iran’s status as a key regional supporter of the Taliban raising critical questions about Tehran’s stance on the group’s governance and policies.