RASC News Agency: The Iranian newspaper Jomhouri Eslami has fiercely criticized the appointment of Faizur Rahman Attai as the acting consul of Afghanistan in Mashhad, labeling him a “terrorist and kidnapper.” In an article published on Sunday, August 4th, the newspaper alleged that Attai was one of three Taliban members involved in the abduction of Qari Issa Mohammadi, a political activist opposed to the Taliban, at Mashhad Airport.
The newspaper claimed that Attai is a kidnapper who intended to carry out similar activities in Iran. The report further stated that, in its final days, the thirteenth government of the Islamic Republic made the hasty decision to hand over the Afghanistan consulate in Mashhad to the Taliban, raising significant concerns. The newspaper questioned how such an important diplomatic center could be entrusted to individuals with a history of exploiting diplomatic immunity and the host country’s trust to execute terrorist operations on its soil.
The article stated: “With these covert and easily conceded extortions, the next step for the Taliban in the Islamic Republic of Iran would be the takeover of the Afghanistan consulate in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province, a region where the Taliban have found local supporters who admire their extremist behaviors and policies.” Jomhouri Eslami warned against handing over the Afghanistan consulate in Zahedan to the Taliban, calling it a “red line for Iran’s security” and urged the new government to reconsider the three-year-old policy towards Afghanistan, especially concerning the “Taliban terrorists,” before it reaches a critical and irreversible point.
This controversy follows weeks of disputes over the leadership of the Afghanistan consulate in Mashhad. Earlier last week, Jabir Ansar, the head consul, resigned, and the Taliban promptly appointed Faizur Rahman Attai to the position. The appointment of Attai has sparked numerous reactions, with Taliban opponents deeming Iran’s action as disappointing.
