Iran accuses US of delaying Afghan peace talks

Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during a meeting with the delegation led by Taliban deputy leader Mullah Ghani Baradar blamed the US of creating a deadlock in the Afghan peace talks in Doha.

“The US does not seek peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Shamkhani told the delegation, as reported by state media. “The US strategy is to allow the war and bloodshed to continue between Afghans.”

According to Iran’s state media Mullah Baradar said that former US President Donald Trump’s “lack of commitment” was the main reason for which peace agreement couldn’t be fruitful last year.

This visit comes amidst a second round of intra-Afghan talks in Doha and days after the Biden administration said it will review the deal reached between Taliban and the Trump administration on withdrawing the US troops from Afghanistan. The second round of lengthy talks between the Afghan government negotiators and the Taliban that resumed earlier this month has made little progress.

It is important to mention here that Iran's contacts with the Taliban have increased in recent years. Iran has also backed Taliban’s inclusion in Afghanistan’s future political structure, and frequently called for the expulsion of US forces from the country.