Afghan FM spokesman rejects media reports on Iran as 'baseless'

Afghan Foreign Ministry Spokesman Janan Mosazai categorically dismissed as baseless the recent media reports that his government believes that “Iran sponsors terrorists” in Afghanistan. Some media reports claimed that the Afghan government is of the opinion that Iran supports terrorism in Afghanistan. “The Afghan foreign ministry believes that such reports are incorrect,” Mosazai said in a statement on Monday. He pointed to the historical relations between Iran and Afghanistan, and said, “The two countries have close, friendly and brotherly ties.” Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope that the new Iranian administration would try its best to further expand bilateral relations with Afghanistan in all arenas. Speaking at a meeting with new Iranian Ambassador to Kabul Mohammad Reza Bahrami, President Rouhani hoped for establishment of sustainable peace and tranquility in Afghanistan, and called for the further expansion of Tehran-Kabul relations in various fields. He also stressed, “The problems of Afghanistan should be resolved by the people of that country.” Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan which has kept its promises to help to the reconstruction of the war-hit country. Iran has built some roads, power transmission lines, and border stations, among the other infrastructure projects which would better link the two nations. Iran has also contributed more than $50mln annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts in the last decade.