Iran's decision to invite the National Resistance Front (NRF) to the funeral of its former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sent ripples across the geopolitical landscape, raising pointed questions about Tehran's long-term strategy toward Afghanistan. The NRF, a coalition of anti-Taliban forces led by Ahmad Massoud, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Taliban representatives at the same high-profile state event—a stark visual reminder that Iran is not putting all its eggs in the Taliban basket. This move suggests that Tehran is deliberately maintaining engagement with multiple Afghan political actors rather than relying solely on the Taliban, who have been in de facto control since August 2021. For the Taliban, this is an uncomfortable signal: regional powers are keeping alternative channels open, hedging against the possibility that the Taliban's rule may be unstable or short-lived. In my opinion, this is a masterstroke of strategic ambiguity by Iran. By hosting both the Taliban and the NRF, Tehran accomplishes several objectives. First, it reminds the Taliban that their legitimacy is conditional and that Iran can pivot to other factions if the Taliban fails to deliver on security, water rights, or the treatment of Shia and Hazara minorities. Second, it gives the NRF a diplomatic lifeline and legitimacy on the international stage, potentially emboldening resistance groups. Third, it sends a message to other regional actors like Russia, China, and Pakistan that Iran is a key broker in Afghan affairs—able to talk to everyone. However, this balancing act carries risks: it could alienate the Taliban, who may see it as a betrayal, and it could also provoke internal backlash from hardliners in Iran who favor a more sectarian alignment. Ultimately, the invitation is not just about funeral rites—it's a calculated message that Afghanistan's future remains unwritten, and Iran intends to have a hand in every possible chapter.