US seeking exit from Afghanistan: Zarif

KABUL, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says.

“I think for the US the ultimate objective is to simply find a way to leave Afghanistan,” Zarif said in a webinar with CNN host Fareed Zakaria.

IRNA quoted the foreign minister as saying: “We are very pessimistic about the US-led process and that is why we did not participate in it.”

He hastened to explain Iran had been part of all Afghan peace initiatives -- from the Bonn Conference in 2001 to recent regional attempts.

“I believe the US has engaged in an all-out effort to simply get out of Afghanistan, which is good but it should not be at the expense of the people of Afghanistan,” he remarked.

Zarif stressed the US pullout from Afghanistan must not harm the democratic process in Afghanistan and achievements of the past 20 years.

“We support the intra-Afghan dialogue. We believe that should be in keeping with the democratic achievements of the people of Afghanistan, with the participation of all parties, including the Taliban.”

The foreign minister said the future of Afghanistan should be decided by all Afghans, with regional countries playing a facilitating role.

“We have observed very closely the discussions going on in Doha. They are, unfortunately, at a stalemate,” the Iranian minister said

Zarif also spoke about the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran, talks between Tehran and Washington and normalisation of relations among Israel, Bahrain and the UAE.

PAN  Monitor/mud