TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut has condemned the 20-year US occupation due to the current crisis in Afghanistan, warning that the presence of new foreign forces within the country will endanger regional peace and security.
At a quadrilateral meeting with foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and Russia in Afghanistan, Aragut said Washington’s intervention and the 20-year war “was nothing but disasters and anxiety.” He emphasized that the conflict left “countless casualties” and promoted terrorism, drug production, corruption, poverty and displacement across the country.
He also pointed to the withdrawal of the Chaos 2021 US, abandoning Afghanistan and its neighbors, carrying out the outcome of war alone. “The US and NATO are responsible for many of the challenges Afghanistan and the region face today,” he said.
Top Iranian diplomats rejected any form of political or military interference and emphasized that exploitation of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to achieve “geopolitical goals.” “The reestablishment of foreign military bases in or around Afghanistan will violate its sovereignty, threaten the peace and security of the region, and burn fuel extremism and instability,” warned Alahuchi.
His comments came when US President Donald Trump threatened Afghan Taliban rulers with “bad things” if he refused to return Bagram’s air base to Washington.
Expressing Tehran’s concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, Araguchi called for assistance to be provided in a “neutral, non-political, non-closed” way, urging the unconditional release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets and helping to recover the economy.
The New York Conference, launched by Russia and held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, marked the fourth round of the fourth round of the Quadrilateral Conference between four Afghan ministers.
In a joint statement, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed his support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, unity and stability, free from terrorism, war and drug trafficking. They urged NATO members to accept responsibility for the impact of military existence, sought the lifting of unilateral sanctions, and opposed the reestablishment of foreign bases in or around Afghanistan.
The statement also highlighted the need for an inclusive Afghan government that represents the will of all people. The Minister has expressed his vigilance about the ongoing presence of Afghan terrorist groups, including Dash, to warn of serious threats to both regional and global security. They also urged the Taliban government to take “effective and verifiable measures” to combat terrorism and eliminate extremist groups.