Iranian photographer released from Taliban custody, handed over to embassy

An Iranian photojournalist recently taken into custody by the Taliban-run government in Afghanistan has been released and handed over to officials at the Iranian embassy in Kabul.

Taliban Deputy Spokesman Bilal Karimi has confirmed on Saturday the release of Mohammad Hossein Velayati, who works for the Tehran-based Tasnim news agency.

The Iranian photojournalist has not returned home yet but is expected to do so as soon as possible.

Velayati legally entered Afghanistan through the air border and stayed in Kabul for 10 days. He was arrested at Kabul International Airport in the Afghan capital shortly before boarding a return flight home last Saturday.

Taliban authorities did not provide any explanation on the circumstances of his arrest.

“Intensive diplomatic and consular efforts are underway to return home Mr. Mohammad Hossein Velayati, the photographer of Tasnim news agency,” Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani had earlier said that Iran’s diplomatic apparatus was pursuing his release in cooperation with the relevant Afghan authorities.

SS