Iran Warns US Return To Afghanistan Would Endanger Regional Stability
Iranian foreign minister warned Thursday that any re-establishment of US military bases in Afghanistan would pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Iranian foreign minister warned Thursday that any re-establishment of US military bases in Afghanistan would pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Speaking at a quadrilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Russia and China’s special envoy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Abbas Araghchi said Iran rejects foreign political or military intervention in Afghanistan and any attempt to use the country’s problems for geopolitical purposes.
Araghchi criticised the two-decade US presence in Afghanistan, saying it brought only misery, insecurity, terrorism, narcotics, corruption, poverty and displacement. He described the 2021 withdrawal of US forces as a “humiliating retreat” and said Washington and NATO remain responsible for many of Afghanistan’s current challenges.
He warned that any renewed establishment of foreign military bases in or around Afghanistan would violate the country’s sovereignty, fuel extremism, and undermine fragile regional stability.
Araghchi also voiced concern over Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian conditions and the activities of terrorist groups in the country. He urged the Taliban to take transparent, verifiable and decisive measures against militant groups, saying counterterrorism must be comprehensive, non-discriminatory and consistent with international law.
His remarks come as the United States explores regaining access to Bagram air base. US President Donald Trump has warned the Taliban that failure to agree would carry serious consequences.
