Iran renews support for Afghan peace negotiations

KABUL (Pajhwok): The ongoing withdrawal of foreign forces will remove all impediments to peace in Afghanistan, believes the Iranian foreign minister.

After a meeting with representatives of Afghan political factions in Tehran on Wednesday, Javad Zarif hoped the Afghans would be able to achieve a peaceful future for their next generation.

In a tweet, the foreign minister said “Iran stands by its Afghan brethren” and supported the ongoing peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

IRNA quoted him as saying: “Hosting this intimate contextual negotiation among the high-ranking representatives of Afghanistan is a pride for us.”

Speaking to the visiting Afghan delegates, Zarif claimed the US mission in Afghanistan had failed, causing large-scale destruction and losses.

“Today the people and political leaders of Afghanistan must take tough decisions about the future of their country,” the minister stressed.

He called Afghan factions’ return to the negotiating table and a commitment to political solutions the best choice for Afghan leaders.

He added: “Iran announces its readiness to contribute to ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the existing disputes and crises.”

PAN Monitor/mud