In comments at a press conference on Monday, Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed the need for the formation of an inclusive government through “peaceful and sustainable solutions” in Afghanistan that would involve all Afghan groups.
“The Taliban does not constitute all Afghanistan, but is part of that country and part of the way out of crisis,” he added.
The spokesman also noted that Iran is closely and seriously monitoring the situation in Afghanistan at the high security and political levels and is negotiating with all Afghan groups.
“It is necessary to protect the territorial integrity (of Afghanistan) and its achievements of the past two decades. Moreover, authentic intra-Afghan dialogue is the sole sustainable solution. We are prepared to facilitate the talks,” Khatibzadeh stated.
He also underlined that Iran would not rush to comment or make any forecast on the possible collapse of Kabul and the subsequent developments in Afghanistan, adding, “What matters to us is (the formations of) an inclusive government, security, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. We are monitoring the moves of Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) in Afghanistan.”
“The Taliban is part of Afghanistan, but it won’t be the whole present and future of Afghanistan in the government,” he emphasized.
Reiterating Iran’s readiness to facilitate the intra-Afghan negotiations with the presence of all groups, including the Taliban, Khatibzadeh said, “Violence has escalated in Afghanistan. Some ethnicities are under pressure, and we called for respect for their rights. The political solution would guarantee the future of Afghanistan.”
Iranian officials maintain that the intra-Afghan negotiations should include all Afghan groups and be held in accordance with the Constitution of Afghanistan.