TEHRAN – Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi says the outsiders have undermined security in the region to serve their illegitimate interests.

Vahidi made the remarks in a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Sunday.
“The existing insecurity in Afghanistan and the Middle East region has resulted from the presence of extra-regional forces in the region, which have made the region insecure to serve their illegitimate interests,” Vahidi noted.
“The security could be established only if foreign troops pull out of the region,” the major general stated.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the military official said the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely ready to increase its cooperation with Afghanistan in all fields.
He added that helping the establishment of security in Afghanistan and facilitating the development of the war-torn country are among the Iranian government’s foreign policy priorities.
Hamid Karzai also thanked Iran for supporting Afghanistan over the past 32 years and called for a continuation of Iran’s assistance for reconstruction of Afghanistan and the establishment of security and stability in the country.
--- Iran’s role in regional developments ‘constructive’
Afghan First Vice President Muhammad Qasim Fahim called for expansion of relations with the “friendly” and “brotherly” country of Iran.
In a separate meeting with Vahidi on Sunday, Fahim said Afghanistan attaches high importance to its relationship with Iran.
He also said that the Afghan nation will never forget the Iranian nation’s support and aid during hard times.
Fahim also described Iran’s role in regional developments as “constructive” and “exemplary.”
For his part, Vahidi said in view of the Iranians, the Afghans are resilient people who are capable of maintaining their national security without the help of foreigners.
The Iranian defense minister started his two-day trip to Afghanistan on Saturday. This was the first visit by an Iranian defense minister to Afghanistan over the past 92 years.