Iran’s reaction to the US-Afghan security agreement

On December 1, Aftab-e Yazd, a daily, ran a piece about the comments of Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham in reaction to a security agreement signed between the US and Afghanistan. The following is the translation of her comments:

Given the poor record of US forces, we are skeptical about their continued presence in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, because we are of the opinion that the continued presence of American troops there won’t help stability and security return to the country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is of the opinion that aid from countries both within and beyond the region, which is in line with international commitments and aimed at reconstructing the country and restoring stability and security to Afghanistan, should not come in return for benefits or the use of military bases in Afghanistan.

The Islamic Republic of Iran respects Afghanistan’s independence and sovereignty. However, it views the establishment of American and NATO bases in the region as a threat to regional stability and wants to draw the Afghan government’s attention to the bilateral, regional and international commitments it has to Iran.