FM urges fight against all terrorist groups

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned of the threat of terror acts in the Middle East, urging an all-out campaign against terrorism and extremism.

“We do not believe in [dichotomizing] terrorism into good and bad [forms] and it is necessary to fight all extremist and Takfiri groups,” Zarif said in a meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani in Tehran on Monday, Press TV reported.

He added that Iran attaches special importance to the state of affairs in Afghanistan, saying, “As I have repeatedly announced in meetings with all Afghan officials, we regard your progress, stability and security as our own progress, stability and security.”

The top Iranian diplomat said the issue of security is an important issue for both Tehran and Kabul and urged the two sides’ authorities to hold constant consultation in this regard.

Rabbani, for his part, said several visits by Afghan officials to Iran indicate the importance of the Islamic Republic for Kabul.

He hailed an order by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei about schooling for all Afghan children in Iran.

In a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan’s government, Abdullah Abdullah, in January, Ayatollah Khamenei ordered that all Afghan children in Iran be permitted schooling regardless of their residency status.

The Afghan foreign minister further stressed the importance of Chabahar port and said it can play a prominent role in the development of the country.

SS