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US, Taliban set to sign peace agreement today
The US and the Taliban are set to sign a deal in Doha, the capital of Qatar today which could pave the path for ending the long-term conflict in the war-weary country.
Sources close to the Taliban told Ariana News that all preparations have been taken for the deal and it would be signed by the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and the Taliban’s Deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
This comes as the Afghan government sent a 6-member delegation for the primary talks with the Taliban.
The countdown for signing the US-Taliban peace agreement has already begun, and on Saturday, the US Secretary of Defense Mike Esper and the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg are expected to visit Kabul and reiterate their commitment to Afghanistan.
The presidential palace said that the two officials will make a joint statement with President Ghani and will reaffirm NATO and the US’s commitments to Afghanistan.
Latif Mahmood, the Presidential deputy spokesperson, said, “The US Secretary of Defense and the NATO SG are supposed to visit Kabul, Saturday, and will make a joint press release.”
This comes as the Afghan government sent a 6-member delegation to Qatar for primary talks with the Taliban who are supposed to negotiate how the prisoners should be released.
The Afghan delegation is comprised of:
Salem Shah Ibrahimi, the NSC deputy, Zakia Adeli, the deputy of Ministry of Justice, Abdul Khaliq Balakarzai, the deputy of State Ministry of Peace, Faizullah Zaki, the Afghan ambassador to Indonesia, Mawlawi Muzzafari, the deputy of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Totakhail, head of the prisons,
Sami Yousufzai, a freelance journalist in Qatar, said, “The Taliban are supposed to negotiate on how to release the prisoners even though the Taliban said that the delegation had not been invited.”
The US-Taliban agreement is scheduled to be signed in one of the most luxurious hotels in Doha, in the presence of 30 countries’ representatives and the United Nation.
Shah Mahmoud Quraishi, the Pakistan Foreign Minister said, “Tomorrow is a big day for Afghanistan. It is a great opportunity. Afghanistan is moving towards peace and reconciliation.” He also said that an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue would start. “I wish Afghanistan peace and stability,” he added.
Although no significant detail has been unleashed from the peace agreement, some sources say that following the signing of the agreement, some five thousand prisoners of the Taliban and one thousand prisoners of the Afghan government will be released – the next step will be preparing for the inter-Afghan dialogue.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday that at China’s initiative, a mid-level delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has arrived in the country to hold official talks with the Pakistani side in line with its principled position.
Qahar said in a statement that these talks are set to begin in the city of Urumqi with the mediation of the Chinese government.
According to Balkhi, this process is being carried forward at China’s request and on the basis of mutual respect and constructive engagement with that country.
He added that the Islamic Emirate is participating in these meetings based on a balanced and principled approach, and intends to hold comprehensive and responsible discussions with the other side on good neighborly relations, strengthening trade ties, and the effective management of security issues.
He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate believes diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect, non-interference, and constructive understanding can find practical and sustainable solutions to the existing issues between the two countries and help provide a foundation for stability and cooperation in the region.
Talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan have officially begun in the Chinese city of Urumqi, sources told Ariana News on Thursday.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Din Mohammad Hanif, expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying he hopes the discussions will help bring an end to ongoing tensions and conflict between the two neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andarabi, said the talks involve senior officials and rejected claims that they are merely low-level engagements, calling such reports a “false narrative.”
Islamabad confirmed it has dispatched a delegation to Urumqi, reiterating its longstanding position that Afghanistan must address Pakistan’s security concerns, particularly regarding militant groups.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that both Afghanistan and Pakistan are neighbors of China, adding that Beijing supports resolving differences through dialogue and negotiation.
China has also been actively facilitating mediation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and will continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions and improving relations between the two countries, the spokesperson said.
More than 1,200 Iranian nationals have returned home since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, with many travelling through neighboring countries including Afghanistan and Armenia, according to reports.
Citing figures from Tasnim News Agency, a total of 1,262 Iranians have been repatriated from the United Arab Emirates since hostilities began. The returns come amid tightening travel restrictions and disrupted regional transport links.
Iranian authorities have formally requested that the UAE facilitate additional evacuation efforts, including the organisation of sea transport and access to a dedicated airstrip to expedite the return of citizens still stranded abroad.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dubai-based airline Emirates indicated on its website that Iranian nationals were no longer permitted to enter or transit through the UAE, further complicating travel options for those seeking to return home.
The developments come as regional airspace disruptions and security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict have significantly curtailed commercial travel routes across parts of the Middle East. With direct flights limited or suspended, many Iranians have been forced to rely on indirect and often complex routes through neighboring countries.
Countries such as Afghanistan and Armenia have emerged as key transit points due to their geographic proximity and continued land access, allowing travelers to bypass restricted air corridors.
The situation reflects broader challenges facing civilians in conflict-affected regions, where shifting aviation policies, border controls, and security risks have made cross-border movement increasingly difficult.
Authorities continue to explore alternative evacuation channels as demand for safe return routes remains high.
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