Zakir Jalaly, Director of the Second Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, on Sunday highlighted the importance of moving beyond purely security-focused approaches and recognizing Afghanistan’s constructive role in regional connectivity, cooperation, and integration.

Jalaly noted in a post on X that Afghanistan prior to 2021, amid the presence of foreign military forces and interventions by regional and international actors, had become a serious security challenge not only for its people but for the entire region. Today, however, Afghanistan is no longer seen merely as a crisis to manage. With its geo-economic position, good intentions, and the current government’s economy-oriented foreign policy, the country has the potential to serve as an effective bridge between Central, South, and West Asia.

Under this approach, regional countries can effectively utilize Afghanistan’s transit, trade, and connectivity capacities, ultimately promoting shared interests and strengthening regional integration.

Jalaly praised the emphasis placed on these opportunities by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in his recent speech in Tehran meeting on Afghanistan. He said that over the past four years, tangible steps have been taken to enhance regional transit, connectivity, trade facilitation, and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and neighboring countries. These efforts demonstrate that a forward-looking, engagement-focused approach can foster stability, prosperity, and mutual regional benefits.

He concluded that cooperation with Afghanistan should be based on existing opportunities, on-the-ground realities, and available capacities. Afghanistan and the region possess extensive potential, and leveraging these resources effectively can create sustainable win–win outcomes for all parties involved.

The U.S. director of national intelligence has warned of what she described as a “direct threat” from suspected terrorists living inside the country, accusing the Biden administration of failing to properly vet thousands of individuals who entered the United States in recent years.

Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, Tulsi Gabbard claimed that around 18,000 known or suspected terrorists were allowed into the country, alleging serious shortcomings in vetting procedures. “The Biden administration did not take their vetting responsibilities seriously,” she said, adding that authorities may still be unaware of additional cases.

Citing figures from the National Counterterrorism Center, Gabbard said approximately 2,000 of those individuals are Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

She said alleged whistleblowers told her that screening processes were rushed during that period. According to her account, officials were instructed to accelerate admissions and forego the thorough vetting normally required.

Gabbard described the situation as “devastating,” arguing that it has created security risks for Americans. She referenced a shooting just before Thanksgiving in which two U.S. National Guard members were shot, one fatally, with the suspect identified as an Afghan national.

However, reports and official reviews have previously pointed to broader circumstances surrounding the evacuation and resettlement effort. Following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a review conducted under then-President Joe Biden concluded that the administration was constrained by a withdrawal agreement negotiated during President Donald Trump’s first term, as well as by inadequate planning for evacuations. The report cited a lack of preparation for removing remaining troops and assisting U.S. allies, despite an approaching deadline.

Media reports have also noted that the Trump administration had several years to expand Special Immigrant Visa programs for Afghan allies but instead slowed processing and weakened systems designed to support refugee admissions. Many Afghans who entered the U.S. after 2021 had worked alongside American forces and feared retaliation if they remained in Afghanistan.

Despite heightened political rhetoric following last month’s shooting, there is no evidence that the vast majority of Afghans resettled in the United States since 2021 pose a security threat, with most described by officials and community leaders as law-abiding.

Separately, authorities in the U.S. state of Rhode Island are investigating a mass shooting near Brown University in Providence that left at least two people dead and several others injured. Officials said the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving local police, state authorities, and federal agencies including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven victims remain hospitalized in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and another has been released. A suspect linked to the shooting was detained on Sunday, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that the security, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan are directly linked to the interests of its neighbouring countries, stressing that regional cooperation is essential for lasting peace and development.

Speaking at a regional meeting on Afghanistan in Tehran, Araghchi said no extra-regional or imposed solutions can resolve Afghanistan’s challenges, arguing that neighbouring states are the most natural and reliable partners in addressing regional crises. He said Iran has consistently emphasized the central role of neighbours in all initiatives related to Afghanistan.

Highlighting Afghanistan’s geo-economic position at the crossroads of Central, West and South Asia, Araghchi said the country’s stability and development are not only a humanitarian necessity but also a strategic requirement for the entire region.

He noted that Iran, as a long-standing neighbour and close partner of the Afghan people, supports Afghanistan’s full regional integration. Araghchi added that the failure of security-centric and externally imposed approaches, including NATO’s two-decade military presence and the hasty U.S. withdrawal in 2021, demonstrated the limits of outside intervention.

The Iranian foreign minister called for regular dialogue mechanisms among Afghanistan’s neighbours to prevent misunderstandings, improve coordination on economic, border and humanitarian issues, reduce tensions and strengthen regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, said Islamabad’s concerns over terrorism must be addressed resolutely, adding that Pakistan supports peace, development and security across the region.