Afghanistan welcomes Iran' role in peace talks; Afghan official
"Regardless neighboring with Iran and strategic partnership with the United States, we hope that dispute between Tehran and Washington will be resolved diplomatically," Spokesman for the Office of the National Security Council Javid Faisal told ILNA.
In an exclusive interview with ILNA correspondent, the afghan high official said that the Kabul government hopes that the recent tensions between Tehran and Washington after the assassination of Iran commander do not negatively affect the situation in Afghanistan and the region.
"Afghanistan wants good relations with Iran's government and we hope to make some progress in our bilateral relations."
He pointed to pace talks between Taliban and United States and added "The ceasefire is the will of the Afghan people and also a need for the peace process.
"We have to make sure that the Taliban not only want peace but also want an agreement with all groups because for the Afghan government, peace with the Taliban is a priority, but Kabul has a duty to protect its people against this group and other groups."
The spokesman for the Office of the National Security Council confirmed that we believe that only inter-Afghan dialogue can bring us united peace.
Asked why Tehran was not assisted in advancing peace talks, he said that we hope that Iran will use its relations with the Taliban to advance the Afghan peace process.
"We assured our respectful citizens and all of our neighbors that in line with the Bilateral Security Agreement with the U.S., the soil of Afghanistan would not be used under any circumstances against any foreign country", he said.
The conclusion of a deal between the US and the Taliban is expected to pave the way for talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government and the Taliban. The Taliban has so far refused to talk to the Afghan government, calling them a “puppet regime”, but maybe open to talks once a deal with the US is signed that will initiate the withdrawal of the estimated 14,000 foreign troops in the country.
"We have not yet seen any progress in the peace process from the Taliban. The Taliban are still linked to extremist groups in the region and the world, and Pakistan is still a supporter of this group," Javid Faisal added.
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