KABUL - The Iranian foreign minister has reiterated his country’s support for an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan.
“Iran’s position is peace with the involvement of all Afghan parties, not with a foreign military power or involvement of just one party,” he said.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaking in parliament on Sunday, claimed Iran’s relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkey, Iraq and Qatar remained cordial.
Fars News Agency quoted the chief diplomat as saying: “We pursue peace talks in Afghanistan with all sides, but we do not accept peace that foreigners favor…”
Foreign powers, exerting their influence in pursuit of specific objectives, should not exclude one or several Afghan groups from peace talks, Zarif added.
“The Americans have held many rounds of negotiations with Taliban … this is not the right path and all measures must be taken with a central role for the Afghan government,” the minister stressed. (Pajhwok)