Taliban Hates Journalists and Diplomats, Says Iran’s Former FM

Iranian’s former foreign minister Javad Zarif said that the Taliban hates journalists, and diplomats.

On the anniversary of the killing of eight Iranian diplomats and one journalist, Zarif stressed that their actions (killing) on August 8, 1998 “is a symbol of connection between media and diplomacy”.

The former foreign minister of Iran delivered a brief message on a Telegram channel of Iranian journalists.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran said that after the Taliban’s attack on Mazar-e-Sharif city in 1998, “the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran was attacked, and diplomats and a journalist of the Islamic Republic of Iran were martyred”.

Taliban entered Mazar-e-Sharif city on August 8, 1998. According to reports, the Taliban fighters killed eight diplomats and one Iranian journalist after entering the Iranian consulate in the city. However, the Taliban has not taken responsibility for this attack.

Twenty-five years after this incident, ministry of foreign affairs of Iran has once again asked for clarification of the killing.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has emphasised that after years of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, Iran seeks the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic, religious, and political groups.