Iran Ready to Help Afghanistan in Anti-Terror Fight: Defense Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami highlighted the country’s support for peace and security in neighboring countries, Afghanistan in particular, saying Tehran is ready to help Kabul in its efforts to combat terrorism.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran wholeheartedly seeks peace, stability, calm and security for all neighboring countries,” Hatami said in a meeting in Tehran with Afghan Deputy Minister of Defense for Policy and Strategy Ahmad Tamim Asi.
Highlighting Afghanistan’s special position for Iran, he added that Tehran has always supported the Kabul government.
He referred to Iran’s effective advisory support for Iraq and Syria in their anti-terror war, and said the country is also ready to provide the Afghan government with advisory and security help in its fight against terrorism.
Iran’s advisory support for Syria and Iraq significantly helped the two Arab countries to fight off the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group and end its self-proclaimed caliphate in late 2017.
Brigadier General Hatami also underlined the importance of regional cooperation for resolving issues in the region, saying that presence of foreigners does not serve the interests of regional countries.
Asi, for his part, said his visit to Tehran was aimed at enhancing the military and defense ties between the two countries.
He added that Afghanistan considers Iran’s security as its own.
Back in February, the defense ministers of Iran and Afghanistan called for efforts to enhance bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism given the relocation of terrorist groups from Syria and Iraq to Afghanistan.
In June 2017, Iran and Afghanistan held the first round of talks on a comprehensive strategic partnership document as part of efforts to boost bilateral relations in various areas, including security, defense, economy, culture, and education.
