In a bold diplomatic gambit, Iran has openly defended its decision to host prominent Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Massoud at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, despite fierce objections from the Taliban government in Kabul. The move signals Tehran's growing willingness to challenge the Taliban's authority and support anti-Taliban factions. During the funeral, a leaked video surfaced showing Massoud exposing alleged direct links between the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), and other transnational terrorist networks, providing what he claims is concrete evidence of coordination and shared logistics. This development intensifies regional tensions, as Iran positions itself as a counterweight to Taliban influence while also seeking to undermine the record that the Taliban has severed ties with extremist groups. In my opinion, Iran's decision is a calculated risk: it strengthens its leverage in Afghanistan at the cost of further antagonizing the Taliban, but it also serves as a warning to both Pakistan and the Taliban that Tehran will not hesitate to expose their covert alliances. The video's release could destabilize already fragile peace efforts and embolden resistance movements across the region. Ultimately, this episode underscores the complex proxy dynamics in Afghanistan, where old grudges and new alliances are constantly reshuffling.