Afghanistan in Spotlight at Tehran Security Confab

EghtesadOnline: The second edition of the Regional Security Dialogue was held in Tehran on Wednesday, focusing on Afghanistan and ways of combating different forms of terrorism in the war-torn country.

News ID: ۷۴۹۲۴۸

21 December 2019

This year's event was attended by security officials from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Russia, China, India and Afghanistan that had held the first round of the meeting in September 2018 on the theme of combating terrorism and extremism in the region, ISNA reported.

Addressing the event, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the region continues to face the scourge of terrorism and extremism, leaving no alternative for affected countries but to resist them through cooperation and identification of factors engendering the emergence and spread of these threats.

"Besides terrorism, we see the ongoing harmful presence of certain foreign states, which are not only among the major instigators of terrorism and extremism in the region, but have also strengthened them," Financial Tribune quoted him as saying.

Shamkhani pointed out that the meeting was centered on Afghanistan that has been struggling with foreign occupation, civil war and terrorism for over 40 years.

"Tackling this key security challenge is our main responsibility," he said.

In a meeting with Shamkhani on the same day, Afghanistan’s National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib praised Iran’s efforts to help alleviate security crises in its neighboring country, as evidenced by its initiative to organize the Wednesday talks in Tehran on the issue.

Russia Ties

Shamkhani also held bilateral talks with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russian Security Council, on the sidelines of the conference.

He highlighted successful strategic collaborations of the two countries in the past, calling for pursuing joint efforts to promote sustainable peace and stability in the region.

The Iranian security official also said foreign players such as the United States and Israel are fomenting regional insecurity.

"Constant alertness and continued collective action can counter the enemies' evil actions and guarantee peace and stability," he said.

Shamkhani thanked Russia for its attitude toward the US illegal measures with regard to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal and its support for Tehran's reciprocal steps.

Washington pulled out of the deal last year and imposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran. The European parties failed to protect Iran's interests under the accord, forcing Tehran to eventually take action and reduce its compliance step by step.

Shamkhani said Iran initiated its plan due to US violation and European inaction.

"If Europe's failure to meet its commitments continues, we have to take the next step to restore balance in obligations."

Iran has so far implemented four phases of its plan and the next stage is due early January.

Patrushev said the continuation of Iran’s initiative to convene security talks makes regional countries feel responsible about cooperation to ensure peace and stability.

He also said the nuclear deal is an international agreement whose implementation is essential.

"Iran's enjoyment of its rights and other countries' exact fulfillment of their obligations are inevitable requirements for the preservation of the deal," he said.