Iran is in the news, this of course is no surprise, but what is worth noting is that it involves US-Iranian cooperation in Afghanistan. After the fall the Taliban, which involved US-Iran partnering up in small, but significant ways, there has not been a healthy or productive relationship between the states regarding the stability and growth of Afghanistan, a state key to both actors. While things may be changing if ever so slightly.
Hilary Clinton has invited Iran to participate in a major conference regarding Afghanistan’s future to be held in Europe on March 31. The conference is regionally and internationally targeted, that is all actors involved in Afghanistan’s future are supposed to get together to work on making it a positive one. With this definition, Iran should be present. So far it appears that Islamic Republic is ready to participate. Iranian government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham stated;
“For us Afghanistan is very important. Afghanistan’s security is our security. Afghanistan’s progress is our progress and Afghanistan’s stability is ours…..We will review it {the invitation} with the approach that we are ready to offer any help to Afghanistan.”
However all is not peachy keen as a US commander in Afghanistan recently stated that they believe has aided Afghan insurgent to groups in order to make life more difficult for the US and NATO. Though it is evident that both the US and share an interest in defeating the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan we must not be naive in assuming that they wish to undermine each other in many other venues and issues.
Another growing partnership possibility between the two antagonists is in supply routes. The US is struggling with the Pakistan Khyber Pass and of course will be kicked out of Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan in about 6 months and is therefore keeping its options open for new routes. According to Pentagon official Geoff Morrell, roads in Iran may be a part of this discussion. To be clear though, this would not involve US troops or resources, but just the possibility of our NATO allies who have relations with Iran.
Source: New York Times
The actual realization of using Iranian territory for supplying NATO troops in Afghanistan is very doubtful and this is most likely just part of the US looking at all possibilities. Here is Morrell:
“In the course of prudent planning, our military planners have looked at virtually every conceivable avenue of supplying our forces in Afghanistan. However, as you would expect, they have done so with an eye on logistical feasibility rather than political reality.”
So there is very little likelihood that Iran and NATO will work out a route deal (Georgia, Azerbaijan looking like the most likely new hubs) and it is still unknown what Iran will bring to the March 31st regional conference on Afghanistan’s future, or even if their come, but at least things are looking a little more open.
