Iran FM says Tehran ready to contribute to Afghan peace process

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has voiced his country’s readiness to contribute to the Afghan peace process.

Zarif reaffirmed Iran’s support for peace in Afghanistan during a telephone call with his Afghan counterpart, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, on Wednesday.

During the phone conversation, the two sides underlined the need for intra-Afghan talks without any foreign interference.

They also discussed bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest and underlined the need for finalization of the document for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

In June, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his Afghan counterpart that the Islamic Republic's policy is to expand fraternal and friendly relations with all neighbors, including Afghanistan, and expressed support for the promotion of peace, stability and security in the war-ravaged country.

Iran stands by Afghan government, people in boosting peace, security: Rouhani

President Rouhani says Iran always stands by the Afghan government and people to boost peace and security.

Iran always stands by the Afghan government and nation in the promotion of peace, stability and security in the country, Rouhani said in a phone call with Ashraf Ghani on June 1.

The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the September 11 attacks in order to wage a “war on terror.”

The invasion toppled the Taliban militant group, but the group now controls more territory than at any point since being ousted from power.

Iran ready to help Afghan govt. advance national peace process: Deputy FM

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi voices Iran

The United Nations said late last month that more than 1,280 Afghan civilians had been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan.

The violence killed 1,282 and injured 2,176 for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report on July 27.

“The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians,” it said in the mid-year report.

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