Iran: Deal with Taliban serves 'illegitimate' US goals
Iran Press TV
Monday, 02 March 2020 11:17 AM
Iran says a recent deal between the United States and the Taliban does not reflect Washington's respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, noting that any such agreement has to be an inclusive one that brings all Afghan sides together.
"We do not consider this measure [a sign of] respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty. The Americans took the measure to satisfy their own illegitimate goals. We believe in an all-inclusive agreement with the entirety of the Afghan government," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday.
Iran, he said, emphasizes that all courses of action leading to peace in Afghanistan have to feature inter-Afghan consensus and be partaken by all Afghan parties and groupings led by the government.
Mousavi said although the Islamic Republic supports any attempt that would contribute to stability and security in Afghanistan, "we are doubtful of America's intentions."
"The US's very presence in the region is illegal. They have no right to enter this region and interfere in the regional countries' affairs," the official said.
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of staging a "war on terror" in a move that was followed by the expansion of Washington's military presence and interference across the region.
The war toppled the Afghan militant group, but it also turned into the United States' longest conflict in its history, with the Taliban establishing a presence over more than half of the Central Asian country.
Washington and the Taliban signed the deal that is allegedly aimed at enabling withdrawal of the American forces in the Qatari capital Friday.
US President Donald Trump has dismissed criticism of the deal and vowed to personally meet with leaders of the Afghan group. Trump has said the agreement would allow Washington to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600 within months if the Taliban adhered to its conditions.
Mousavi said the deal came in the wake of the US's defeat in its invasions across the region that have only prolonged regional instability and warfare. He echoed Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's remarks that the US had signed the deal only to "put make-up" on its regional defeats.
The spokesman noted that Iran has conducted some talks with the Taliban in the past in coordination with Kabul and with the group's consent. The discussions, he said, will continue and are not affected in any way by the US-Taliban deal.
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