Iran's former Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and the Pacific believes that in case the political changes in Afghanistan lead to Taliban’s take of power, Iran will face a new rush of Afghan refugees.
In an interview with ‘Rouydad’ program, Ibrahim Rahimpour described the current situation in Afghanistan as an example of US destructive actions in the region; “The United States initially attacked the region aiming at fighting terrorism, but there are a number of strategic issues in Afghanistan which isn’t related to the change of U.S. presidents, and the American authorities come to an agreement with Afghan officials over those issues.”
He explained that human rights and terrorism were basically of no importance to the United States; “Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran are the countries which are geographically placed around Afghanistan, and they have common interests and security issues in the region. At the other hand they’re faced with ISIS threat.”
According to Rahimpour, the Americans no longer have any goals in Afghanistan, thus the Afghan president visited Washington to determine his status and his program.
The West Asia analyst pointed to the Taliban presence in Afghanistan and said; “This is of special significance to us and we need to monitor the region.”
Rahimpour continued; “We held talks with the Taliban for a long time; since the Kabul government is weak and unable to maintain border security, and we have always had the Taliban channel for our interests.”
He then reminded; “After 20 years, the force which the United States intended to destroy is still there, and that’s the reason why Americans are leaving Afghanistan today.”
“The news heard from inside Afghanistan is not good at all, and maybe the United States will make a deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government to hold elections without much conflict and bloodshed,” said Rahimpour regarding the future of political changes in Afghanistan.
He also mentioned; “The Taliban don’t believe in the republic system, but they may take responsibility. At any rate we hope that there will be no military problem so that Iran will not face a new rush of Afghan immigrants.”
By Azadeh Khajeh Nasiri
