Iran strongly condemns recent attacks on Panjshir

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 6 September 2021 / 11:02

Tehran (ISNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced that the Islamic Republic has condemned, in the strongest terms, the last night attacks on Panjshir province.

At a weekly press conference on Monday, Khatibzadeh answered ISNA question about the latest developments in Panjshir and the released reports regarding Pakistan's cooperation with Taliban in killing people in Panjshir and said, "News coming from Panjshir are worrying. The last night attacks are strongly condemned".

"We regret the martyrdom of Afghan leaders. The foreign interference you mentioned should be investigated and we are considering the issue. The history of Afghanistan has showed that the direct or indirect interference in Afghanistan's affairs is doomed to defeat for the invading forces. People of Afghanistan are independent and self-sufficient people and any form of foreign interference in Afghanistan's affairs is condemned," he added.

"The released news about the blockade of the people of Panjshir is worrying and the principles of humanitarian rights under international law must be implemented in Afghanistan and Panjshir," Khatibzadeh stated.

"The only solution for Panjshir is the political solution and the blockade of the province is in no way acceptable in terms of international law and humanitarian rights," he emphasized.

"Taliban must live up to its commitments. Iran is making every effort to help end the suffering of the Afghan people. It is the will of the people that must be fulfilled, not foreign interference or any other conspiracy," Khatibzadeh stressed.

"International institutions, along with countries in the region, have a duty to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. Iran stands by the people of Afghanistan. Iran has been friends with the people of Afghanistan for centuries and has shown it for decades, and everyone knows Iran's principled policy towards Afghanistan. We will do our utmost to contribute to the peace and stability of Afghanistan," the spokesman went on to say.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Khatibzadeh stressed that the relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continue at good levels on technical issues.

"IAEA's questions have been answered and talks between the two sides are underway," the spokesman said.

He also spoke about the need to resume the Vienna talks to revive the JCPOA, saying, "Talks will be held and Iran has announced at various levels that the negotiations that have begun to ensure the full implementation of US commitments under the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 between Iran and the P4+1 will continue".

"It was not Iran that left the JCPOA and violated Resolution 2231, and it was the United States that not only violated the deal but also violated Resolution," Khatibzadeh once again said.

"Iran will not wait forever for the US to put pressure on the Iranian people with the illegal leverage of sanctions, and this window will not be open for Washington forever. I hope American officials know how to live up to their commitments. If verified and exactly Iran's interests are served under the JCPOA, Iran will fulfill its obligations as a committed party," he added.

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