Iran Denies Pompeo's Accusation of Undermining Afghan Peace Process

EghtesadOnline: Iran's diplomatic mission in Kabul has dismissed recent claims by the United States' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Tehran's role in disrupting the Afghan peace process.

News ID: ۷۴۷۷۱۷

30 June 2019

"Peace is a public demand of the Afghan society and any mechanism … agreed upon by the government, political parties and the people of this country would enjoy the Islamic Republic of Iran's full support," the embassy's statement read, highlighting the two countries' common security interests given their long shared borders, ISNA reported on Thursday.

During his unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday, Pompeo accused Iran of destabilizing "the on-the-ground activities" for reconciliation in Afghanistan, saying it is not in the country's interests to undermine the peace process, according to Financial Tribune.

"I would hope that they could see that it is in every regional player's best interest that this peace process move forward."

The embassy's statement censured such "unfounded and unconstructive accusations", calling instead for transparency about the details of the current peace negotiations.

Afghanistan has been stuck in a nearly 18-year civil war with the Taliban insurgency. Peace efforts aim to bring about reconciliation between the government and the insurgents.