Iran says foreign forces cause of Afghanistan instability

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Oceania Affairs, Mohammad-Ali Fathollahi said foreign forces in Afghanistan undermine the stability and security of Afghanistan as well as the region, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting with the United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, in Tehran on Wednesday, Fathollahi said, "Iran has always supported the transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghan government."

However, "Signing of a strategic security deal between the U.S. and Afghan government is a security challenge in the region and an obstacle in the way of peace in Afghanistan," Fathollahi was quoted as saying.

He also expressed concern over growing violence and the recent spike in civilian casualties in Afghanistan and said the current trend of insecurity was to the region's disadvantage.

The UN official also expressed concern over the mounting insecurity in Afghanistan and said the country's neighbors, especially Iran, play an important role in developing and rebuilding the country, said the report.

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