TEHRAN – Iran has asked neighboring countries to help solve Afghanistan’s grave issues “without relying on foreign states”.

During the 5th meeting of the Moscow Format on Afghanistan held in Russia’s Kazan on Friday, the Iranian president's special envoy for Afghanistan slammed Washington’s 20-year occupation of the country. 

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, who also serves as Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, said years of U.S. interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs have laid waste to various aspects of the Afghan people’s lives. He asked Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to get united in the face of foreign threats meaning to take advantage of Afghanistan’s distress. 

“Standing against Afghanistan’s neighbors is a front belonging to foreign states which despite being far from the country, have a vest interest in Afghanistan and are seeking to impose their own values and ideologies on other societies,” stated the Iranian special envoy. 

He also expressed hope that the current rulers of Afghanistan could forge friendly relations with the neighboring countries. 

Officials from 15 countries attended the 5th meeting of the Moscow Format on Afghanistan. A delegation from the Taliban was also present during the meeting which aimed to discuss an inclusive Afghan government and counter-terrorism efforts.

MHA