COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Iran reopens embassy in Afghanistan

Northern alliance soldiers have set up a checkpoint between Kabul and Jalalabad

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran has reopened its embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul, which has been closed since the Taliban forces captured Afghanistan five years ago.

The embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul "resumed its activities in recent days," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying Tuesday by state-run Iranian radio.

Asefi, however, did not give details as to the services the embassy was providing.

Iran withdrew its embassy staff shortly after the Taliban captured Kabul in 1996. Iran supported and armed the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance.

The Alliance, boosted by U.S. bombing to punish the Taliban for harboring alleged terrorists, captured the capital and much of the rest of Afghanistan in recent days.

The Northern Alliance appears to be consolidating its hold on Afghanistan, but has agreed to attend power-sharing talks in Germany next week.