Muttaqi Condemns U.S.-Israeli Strikes, Calls for Halt to Tensions
The foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a phone call with Iran’s foreign minister, in addition to discussing the current regional situation, condemned the “aggression” of the United States and Israel against Iran and expressed condolences and sympathy over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
During the call, Amir Khan Muttaqi, rejecting violations of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasized the need for an immediate halt to tensions and a return to diplomatic channels to peacefully resolve the crisis.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said that Seyed Abbas Araghchi appreciated Afghanistan’s stance regarding Iran.
Sarwar Niazi, a political analyst, said: “Close relations between Iran and the Islamic Emirate government have led Afghan officials, like other countries, to condemn these attacks and express solidarity with Iran.”
As tensions escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s attacks on sites linked to the United States and Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also stated that the killing of innocent civilians is condemnable based on accepted international principles.
The ministry’s statement added: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on all parties to respect each other’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and, in order to prevent further escalation of the crisis, immediately halt military actions and resolve the issue through diplomatic means.”
Meanwhile, Akhtar Mohammad Rasekh, another political analyst, warned: “The continuation of war could have widespread economic and humanitarian consequences in the region and particularly pose serious challenges for Iran’s neighboring countries.”
The key question, however, is what impact these tensions will have on Afghanistan.
Sadiq Shinwari, a military analyst, said: “The continuation of these conflicts could threaten border security and regional stability.”
Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic analyst, emphasized: “More than 80 percent of Afghanistan’s trade with Iran, or through its ports, including Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, is conducted via Iran, and the continuation of war could disrupt trade flows and have negative economic consequences for Afghanistan.”
Experts have consistently stressed that Afghanistan, having endured years of war, now more than ever needs regional stability in order to focus on economic reconstruction and internal security.
