Iran Press/ America: While, Iran and Taliban engaged in talks to promote peace in Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense, in a recent report sent to Congress, admitted that Iran has a key role in ending the Afghan conflict, saying: "Tehran seeks a stable Afghan government.”
“Iran seeks a stable Afghan government that is responsive to Iranian goals, the elimination of ISIS, the removal of the US/NATO presence in Afghanistan, and the protection of Iranian concerns; such as water rights and border security,” stated the report released on the official website of the US Department of Defense.
The Pentagon also admitted Iran’s influence in Afghanistan, saying: "Tehran pursues a multitrack strategy of engaging and trying to grow ties with the Afghan government, expanding trade and economic investments."
“Iranian involvement is the most prominent in western, central, and northern Afghanistan, where local Afghans share common history, culture, religion, and language with Iran,” according to the report.
The Pentagon also pointed to the Russian and Chinese roles in Afghanistan and said: “Russia is engaging a wide range of actors in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, to secure its interests in Central Asia and to expand its influence in the region.”
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani who arrived in Kabul on Wednesday said during a meeting with the National Security Adviser of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib that Tehran is engaged in negotiations with Taliban to help settle the existing security problems in Afghanistan, and will continue with these negotiations in the future.
Later, in a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Ali Shamkhani said that the US presence in the region has resulted in nothing but wars and insecurity. 101/201
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