TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday reiterated the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan, saying the Taliban represent only part of Afghanistan, not the whole present and future status of the country.
“The Taliban do not constitute all Afghanistan, but is part of that country and part of the way out of crisis but they won’t be the whole present and future of Afghanistan in the government,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said.
The spokesman said Iran is closely and seriously monitoring the situation in Afghanistan at the high security and political levels and is negotiating with all Afghan groups.
“It is necessary to protect the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and its achievements of the past two decades. Moreover, authentic intra-Afghan dialogue is the sole sustainable solution. We are prepared to facilitate the talks,” Khatibzadeh stated.
What matters to Iran, he said, is an inclusive government, security, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, adding the Islamic Republic is also monitoring Daesh moves in Afghanistan.
Reiterating Iran’s readiness to facilitate the intra-Afghan negotiations with the presence of all groups, including the Taliban, Khatibzadeh said, “Violence has escalated in Afghanistan. Some ethnicities are under pressure, and we called for respect for their rights. The political solution would guarantee the future of Afghanistan.”