Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the US’ failure after more than two decades of destructive presence in Afghanistan, describing intra-Afghan negotiations and commitment to political solutions as the sole option for Afghan leaders and groups.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran played host to a round of intra-Afghan negotiations on Wednesday morning.
The gathering was attended by the representative of the Afghan government, top figures supporting the Republic system in Afghanistan, and a high-ranking political delegation of the Taliban.
In an address to the meeting, Zarif said the United States has suffered a defeat in Afghanistan as its military presence has only wreaked massive destruction on Afghanistan for more than two decades.
“Today, the people and political leaders of Afghanistan need to make difficult decisions for the future of their country,” he added.
Warning against the undesirable consequences of lingering conflicts in Afghanistan, the top Iranian diplomat said the best option for Afghan leaders and political currents is to return to the intra-Afghan negotiation table and remain committed to the political solutions.
Zarif also expressed Iran’s readiness to contribute to the process of negotiations among the Afghan parties for the settlement of conflicts and crises.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is also committed to helping the process of political, economic and social development in neighboring Afghanistan after the establishment of peace, he underlined.
The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the Tehran talks is represented by former foreign minister Yunus Qanuni, while the Taliban delegation is led by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai.
