Iran, OIC Discuss Regional Developments, Afghanistan

In a telephone conversation on Monday, the top Iranian diplomat and the OIC secretary general reviewed the latest situation of relations between Iran and the OIC and exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan.

Amirabdollahian described the threat of extremist groups as one of the most important problems faced by the region.

Deploring the Daesh terrorist group’s movements in Afghanistan, he reaffirmed Iran's support for a more active role by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, especially its secretary general, in Afghanistan.

For his part, Al-Othaimeen presented a brief report on the actions of the OIC in addressing the latest developments in Afghanistan as well as on its statement about the war-torn country.

Al-Othaimeen also emphasized the need for the inclusiveness of the new government in Afghanistan and respect for human rights and women's rights, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

He announced the OIC’s solidarity with the Afghan people and underlined the need to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven for the terrorist groups.

In response, Amirabdollahian referred to the recent terrorist and criminal acts of Daesh and its brutal attacks on worshipers in two mosques in Afghanistan’s Kunduz and Kandahar.

The Iranian foreign minister called for the condemnation of these inhumane acts by the secretary general and members of the OIC.

He stated that the aim of these terrorist acts was to cause sectarian division in Afghanistan.

Al-Othaimeen stressed that members of the OIC do not differentiate between Islamic sects, and in their view, all Muslim people have the same citizenship rights, and it is not permissible for Muslims and worshipers of any sect to be targeted by terrorists.

The OIC’s secretary general strongly condemned the recent terrorist acts in Afghanistan and wished divine mercy on the victims of these attacks and immediate healing of the injured.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the assistance of the Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in facilitating the reopening of Iran’s diplomatic mission in the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Amirabdollahian also called for the continuation of this assistance.

Finally, Al-Othaimeen expressed hope for the continuation of the Iranian-Saudi talks as a facilitator of the reopening of Iran's diplomatic mission at the OIC. He also expressed hope that the current contacts and talks between the two sides would lead to positive results for both countries.