Iranian foreign minister says U.S. leaving Afghanistan after two decades of humiliation

Edited by Ed Newman
2020-03-02 00:34:18

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Image shows a U.S. soldier on guard following suicide attack at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.  (Photo: AFP)

Tehran, March 2 (RHC)-- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said the U.S. is leaving Afghanistan after two decades of "humiliation" following a so-called peace deal between the Taliban and the United States.

"U.S. occupiers should've never invaded Afghanistan.  But they did, and blamed everyone else for consequences," Zairf said in a tweet on Sunday.  "Now after 19 years of humiliation, U.S. has tendered its surrender." 

The Iranian foreign minister noted that U.S. military presence has been a source of suffering for Afghanistan and other countries such Syria, Iraq and Yemen.   "It will leave -- while leaving a huge mess behind," he added.

An agreement between the US and the Taliban in Qatar sets the stage for end of nearly two decades of war in Afghanistan.  Under the deal, the Taliban will sever ties with al-Qaeda and other terror groups and sit down for peace talks with the Afghan government.  In return, Washington will start a phased withdrawal of troops.

The Afghan government did not take part in talks which led to the deal.  Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the pact was an attempt by Washington to justify its illegal presence in Afghanistan.

Iran says a so-called peace deal between the Taliban and the US is an attempt by Washington to justify its illegal presence in Afghanistan.  "The United States has no legal standing to sign a peace deal or determine the future of Afghanistan," the statement said, stressing that only domestic talks can stabilize the war-torn country.

Washington invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban-run government in 2001 on the pretext of fighting terrorism following the September 11 attacks.  The Taliban, however, never stopped its attacks, citing foreign military presence as one of the main reasons behind its continued militancy.


 



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