Iran Blasts US for Projecting Blame on Others over Insecurities in Afghanistan

TEHRAN (Defapress)- "Unfortunately, certain sides in the country accuse the neighbors of supporting the Taliban after the past week attacks of the Taliban on Afghanistan's Farah (province) and the US commanders who have grown desperate at establishment of security in the country after years of extensive military presence in Afghanistan and shedding the blood of thousands of innocent people in the country, are attempting to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran of supporting the Taliban to derail the public opinion from the real reasons behind the continued war in the country," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday.

He added that Taliban's attack on Afghan cities is nothing new and not related to the good ties between Iran and Afghanistan, noting that talks about water resources are also underway between the two countries and linking the issue to the internal problems in Afghanistan is not logical, correct and rational.

Qassemi condemned continued violence in Afghanistan, saying, "We, similar to the past, support the peace process under the guidance of the Afghan government and invite the two sides of the conflict to efforts to resolve problems through negotiations."

On May 15, hundreds of Taliban militants stormed the provincial capital, Farah city, seizing most of the town before they were pushed back by Afghan security forces.

Clashes between the militants and government forces have continued on the outskirts of the city.

While Afghan security forces have since regained control of the city, the Taliban offensive came as a shock to the government and security forces who seemed ill-equipped to deal with the situation despite being supported by the US.

A delegation of high-level officials, including the ministers of interior and defense and the chief of intelligence, headed to Farah on Saturday, where they met local representatives.

Many residents complained that officials had not heeded their warnings.

"People say they had warned the government that the Taliban was threatening the city," one of the residents said.

"They have asked for more attention from the government because they say this is such a key transit point."

Message end/