Tehran Resolved to Stop U.S. Destabilizing Acts in Region
IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK
TEHRAN – Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani has said Iran is resolved to stop the United States and its stooges from committing acts of terrorism and destabilizing the region and to eventually force a complete US troop withdrawal.
Speaking at a meeting with Afghan president’s national security advisor Hamdullah Mohib, in Tehran on Tuesday, Shamkhani said that the U.S. acts of insecurity in West Asia reached their peak with the “cowardly” assassination of top Iranian and Iraqi anti-terror commanders, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to prevent the continuation of the terrorist, tension-fueling and destabilizing acts of the United States and its stooges and make them leave the region by exacting a severe revenge against those who ordered and perpetrated a crime that will go down in history,” he added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Shamkhani referred to the threats facing both Iran and Afghanistan and their common interests, especially the need to stop the spread of terrorism and to restore stability and security in the region.
Warning of increased Daesh activity in Afghanistan and the dangers it posed to regional states, he called for collective vigilance and cooperation to fully eliminate “the cancerous tumor.”
Iran’s security chief also highlighted the Islamic Republic’s principal policy of strengthening good neighborliness. “Afghanistan has a special place in Iran’s foreign policy due to numerous commonalities that bond the two nations,” he said.
Shamkhani further stressed Iran’s firm support for the legitimate government of Afghanistan, underlining the need for enhanced Tehran-Kabul cooperation and interaction in political, economic and security areas.
Additionally, he expressed his satisfaction with the opening of the Khaf-Herat railroad and hoped that the project could play an effective role in promoting bilateral relations and improving the welfare of the Afghan people.
Mohib, for his part, voiced the readiness of the Afghan government and nation to boost cooperation with Iran, which he described as his second home.
He further appreciated the unwavering support and hospitality Iran has offered to the Afghan people over the past 40 years.
Later yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with Mohib.
In the meeting, Foreign Minister Zarif said supporting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is the principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He highlighted the necessity for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, said, “We believe a comprehensive political solution with the presence of all Afghan groups will be the best guarantee for lasting peace in this country.”
He urged both Tehran and Kabul to enhance consultations at bilateral, regional and international levels.
Zarif expressed satisfaction with the inauguration of the Khaf-Herat railway which came on stream recently, and added the project will pave the way for closer cooperation between the two countries and facilitating connections with regions in the East.
“The Dogharoon crossing should be refurbished in order to boost mutual border cooperation,” Zarif underlined.
The Afghan official, in turn, presented a report on the latest developments pertaining to peace talks in his country, and appreciated Iran’s backing for the Afghan government and people.
He stressed the necessity of boosting political, economic and security cooperation.
The Afghan official also expressed hope linking routes such as the Khaf-Herat railway will further boost regional cooperation.
Among other topics on the agenda during the meeting were mutual cooperation on political, economic and security fronts, holding a meeting of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Committee and following up on other ongoing projects as well as closer cooperation in the water sector.