According to research by the National United Front of Afghanistan, the Iranian regime has committed to covering the costs of housing and training Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan, as well as financing the group’s operations in the Middle East, as part of a secret agreement with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
The document states that Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, a senior Taliban representative, and Saif al-Adl, the current leader of Al-Qaeda, met secretly in Tehran in October 2021 and agreed that all Al-Qaeda branches and IRGC-affiliated groups in the Middle East and Africa would collaborate.
According to the research, it was agreed in this secret meeting that the Taliban would provide the necessary space and tools for training Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan, while the IRGC would cover the group’s expenses in Afghanistan and finance Al-Qaeda’s operations in the region.
According to the National United Front of Afghanistan, this was the first recorded face-to-face meeting of these three senior officials from the IRGC, Taliban, and Al-Qaeda.
There had previously been numerous reports of close relations between the Iranian regime and Al-Qaeda.
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of State said that the Iranian regime had allowed Al-Qaeda to facilitate its terrorist activities through a key communication channel via Iran since at least 2009, transferring funds and fighters to South Asia, Syria, and other areas.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the Iranian regime continues to provide a safe haven for senior Al-Qaeda leaders on Iranian soil.
The National United Front of Afghanistan stated in its research that following the meeting between the IRGC Quds Force commander and representatives of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, a peace agreement was established between the Houthis in Yemen and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which remains stable.
Another outcome of this meeting that has now been implemented is Al-Qaeda’s cooperation with groups allied with the Iranian regime in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, including Hezbollah.
The Telegraph reported on May 4 about the expanding cooperation between the Houthis and Al-Qaeda in Yemen. According to this report, the Houthis, who were previously considered enemies of Al-Qaeda, are now providing them with weapons and drones, and the two sides have exchanged prisoners.
The National United Front of Afghanistan also reported in its research that following the developments in Tehran in October 2021, Al-Qaeda’s recruitment and the number of training centers in Afghanistan have increased significantly.
According to this research, the strengthening of Al-Qaeda’s financial capabilities has enabled the group to build more houses and camps for its members coming to Afghanistan from the Middle East and Africa.
In a report released in February 2023, the United Nations stated that Saif al-Adl, the leader of Al-Qaeda, is believed to have continued his activities in Iran under the protection of the Iranian regime for years.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the former Foreign Minister of the Iranian regime, had denied that Saif al-Adl resided in Iran and called the dissemination of such news “Iranophobia.”
According to the National United Front, Qaani expressed satisfaction with the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan after meeting with a Taliban representative in Tehran in October 2021 and said, “We have done a great job, and now we must expel the Americans from the Middle East.”
