WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- The U.S. intelligence agency has acknowledged that Iran is not seeking to destabilize Afghanistan, countering previous remarks by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, The National Interest reports. "Iran’s strategic objectives relating to Afghanistan continue to be maintaining a stable Afghan central government and security along Iran’s eastern border,” the Lead Inspector General wrote. "Iran’s objectives also include protecting Shia populations, eliminating [Daesh in Central Asia], opposing the U.S. presence in the region, and securing Iranian economic interests.”