Iran concerned at Afghan-US strategic ties

KABUL and the United States, but Kabul desires friendly relations with all neighbouring countries, an official said on Wednesday.

On his return from a two-day visit to Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister Javed Lodin told a press conference he had been directed by President Hamid Karzai to discuss the proposed strategic cooperation deal with Iranian authorities.

Lodin said he told Iranian officials that the draft agreement — based on regional peace and Afghanistan’s core interests — posed no threat to regional countries. However, the deputy minister did not elaborate on Iran’s concerns.

President Karzai has identified peace and security as a top priority in US-Afghan relations. The president says a Loya Jirga will convene in three months to debate and approve the deal.

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