Tehran, Aug 18 (AFP\/APP):Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday told his Russian and Chinese counterparts that Tehran is ready to cooperate with the two countries to establish “stability and peace” in Afghanistan.
\nThe Taliban have capped a staggeringly fast rout of Afghanistan’s major cities in just 10 days, achieved with relatively little bloodshed, following two decades of war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
\nThe collapse came as US President Joe Biden moved to complete the withdrawal of US troops.
\n“Iran is ready to cooperate with China to establish security, stability and peace in Afghanistan and strive for its people’s development, progress and prosperity,” Raisi told China’s Xi Jinping in a phone call initiated from Beijing, Raisi’s official website said.
\nHe also expressed Iran’s readiness for “any cooperation for establishing peace and calm in Afghanistan” in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
\n“We believe all Afghan groups should work together… and turn the US withdrawal into a turning point for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.
\nAnalysts say the Taliban’s advances have put neighbouring Iran on edge, but the majority Shiite Islamic republic is taking a pragmatic stance on the hardline Sunni group’s resurgence.
\nIran had tense relations with the Taliban between 1996 when they took power and 2001 when they were toppled in an American-led invasion over their links to Al-Qaeda and the 9\/11 attacks.
\nIran never recognised the Taliban’s rule, but has stressed in recent months that they must be “part of a future solution” in Afghanistan.
\nThe ultraconservative Raisi on Monday said the “defeat” and US withdrawal should “offer an opportunity to restore life, security, and lasting peace” in Afghanistan.
\nOn Sunday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it had reduced its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, but has kept its embassy open in Kabul.
\nRaisi also called on China and Russia to increase Covid-19 vaccine deliveries to Iran.
\nHe hoped that Beijing would “accelerate procurement of millions of doses purchased” and told Putin that Tehran requests “more shipments” over its current “special circumstances”.
\nThe Middle East country worst hit by the pandemic, Iran is going through a new wave of Covid deaths and infections amid an inoculation campaign that has progressed slower than authorities had planned.
\nIt has officially recorded more than 99,000 deaths and nearly 4.6 million infections, according to the health ministry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tehran, Aug 18 (AFP\/APP):Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday told his Russian and Chinese counterparts that Tehran is ready to cooperate with the two countries to establish “stability and peace” in Afghanistan. The Taliban have capped a staggeringly fast rout of Afghanistan’s major cities in […]<\/p>\n
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