Iranian MP Calls for Review of Citizenship Conditions for Afghan Immigrants

Patel stressed on the importance of preventing Afghanistan from becoming a sanctuary for terrorists intent on harming the United States and its allies. Highlighting this during a Monday press conference, Patel insisted on the Taliban's responsibility to prevent terrorist activities from emanating from Afghan territory.

He called on Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure that civilian casualties are avoided in its counter-terrorism efforts. Additionally, Patel disclosed ongoing discussions between the US and Pakistani leaders regarding Afghanistan and terrorism.

The Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department labeled Pakistan as a significant ally of the United States, affirming consistent dialogue with Islamabad on counter-terrorism and security matters.

Matthew Miller, another spokesperson for the US State Department, communicated to Afghanistan International, Washington's support for Pakistan's battle against terrorist factions.

Sources early Monday reported to Afghanistan International that the Pakistani Air Force targeted the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the provinces of Khost and Paktika. In response, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry implicated the Afghan Taliban in leveraging the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for their ends, characterising the air strikes in Afghanistan as anti-terrorist actions. Following these strikes, the Taliban's Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul in protest. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, said that the strikes resulted in the deaths of three women and three children in Paktika and three family members in Khost. These incidents followed the Pakistan army's confirmation that several of its security personnel were killed in North Waziristan due to suicide attacks and a confrontation with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The testimony is scheduled for this Tuesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Numerous members of the US Congress, along with present and past officials of the US, have labelled the withdrawal from Afghanistan as chaotic and have voiced criticism towards the Biden administration's management of the exit strategy.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, under Michael McCaul's leadership, is organising sessions aimed at scrutinising the Biden administration's execution of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. These sessions will allow for a direct query from representatives to the officials involved.

Mark Milley, who led as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2019 until September 2023, shared his disappointment during an ABC News interview last September regarding the conclusion of America's two-decade-long engagement in Afghanistan, emphasising that the outcome was not as he had hoped.

Kenneth McKenzie, who commanded the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from March 2019 to April 2022, has expressed regret concerning the manner of the US' exit from Afghanistan, highlighting the potential threat of ISIS attacking US interests from Afghan territory. He further advocated for the continued presence of US forces in Afghanistan.

Earlier, on February 15, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy to Afghanistan, provided his testimony in a Congressional hearing focused on the US's withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Doha Agreement, contributing to the comprehensive evaluation of the withdrawal's aftermath.

West stated on the X social media platform that he will meet with US partners during his trip.

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan had also traveled to India and the United Arab Emirates last year in December to engage in talks with officials from both countries regarding Afghanistan.

American sources are yet to provide further details about West's upcoming trip to the region.

The ministry added that TTP consistently used Afghanistan territory for "terrorist" attacks inside Pakistan.

On Monday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry officially confirmed that it has conducted intelligence-based anti-terrorism operations in border regions inside Afghanistan.

In the statement, the ministry stated, "Over the past two years, Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed its serious concerns to the Interim Afghan Government over the presence of terror outfits including TTP inside Afghanistan. These terrorists pose a grave threat to Pakistan’s security and have consistently used Afghan territory to launch terror attacks inside Pakistani territory."

Pakistan said that the target has been "terrorists" affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, responsible for multiple attacks inside Pakistan along with TTP, killing hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials.

The statement added that certain Taliban elements are “patronising TTP”. The ministry urged Taliban to reconsider their policy of supporting terrorists.

Pakistan emphasised on finding joint solutions in countering terrorism.

Recently, forces affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur, TTP’s commander had claimed responsibility for several suicide attacks in North Waziristan.

Lotfi added that Afghanistan’s recreational drugs harm countries in the region and world.

On Monday, ISNA news agency reported that Lotfi, who is traveling to Austria for the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, has said that Iran is concerned about Afghanistan's status as a major producer of methamphetamine, and the United Nations has also expressed concern about the increase in production, consumption, and trafficking of narcotics in Afghanistan.

According to the report, during a meeting with a Dutch official from the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport, he stated that Iran has achieved the highest international standards in reducing demand for drugs and empowering vulnerable women and girls to combat addiction and substance abuse.

On the sidelines of this meeting, Lotfi met with Norway’s Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health. He highlighted Iran's geographical proximity to Afghanistan, the world's largest producer of narcotics, and stated, "While we appreciate the reduction of drug cultivation in Afghanistan, the trafficking of narcotics from the region has not seen a significant decrease."

As per the report, the Norwegian official also said that the claim of drug production reaching zero in Afghanistan is unbelievable. He emphasised that even if it were true, given the unstable conditions in Afghanistan, there's no assurance that the decision to resume production wouldn't be made tomorrow, in a few months, or even years down the line, potentially leading the country back into drug production.

He added that Norway, as a European nation, should pursue technical and specialised cooperation with Iran in the realm of combating narcotics and should engage in cooperation with Iran regardless of political considerations.

This statement comes in the wake of Eskandar Momeni, the secretary general of the Iranian anti-narcotics headquarters, recently highlighting the rising production of recreational drugs and methamphetamine in Afghanistan. Momeni characterised Iran as one of the victims of the surge in drug production in Afghanistan.