US-Afghanistan Strategic Treaty, No Help To Afghan Security

Tehran, May 9, IRNA – The strategic treaty inked by Afghanistan and the US will not bring security to the Afghans, deputy foreign minister for Asia-Pacific affairs said on Wednesday. Abbas Araqchi made the remark while talking to IRNA on the sidelines of a seminar on historical dialogue between Iran and Turkey, started in Tehran this morning. Asked about the future of Tehran-Kabul relations, Araqchi said the Islamic Republic of Iran, during talks with Afghan officials has repeatedly expressed its concerns over security in that neighboring state. Araqchi added that the strategic treaty which justifies the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan would only damage regional peace and security. Presence of foreigners in Afghanistan will be the root cause of more tensions and conflicts in that regional country, said the official. He reiterated that Iran is trying to hold constructive talks with Afghan officials on the issue, hoping the talks would achieve favorable outcome./end