December 06-2013
Iran’s Foreign Ministry told Afghanistan Tuesday not to sign a security deal with the US that could keep thousands of American and allied forces there for another decade.
The statement comes ahead of an expected visit to Iran next week by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Karzai long ago endorsed the deal, but has now spoken of new conditions and deferred his signature until next April, much to the irritation of many in Afghanistan.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not consider the signing and approval of the pact useful for the long term expedience and interests of Afghanistan.”
She said, “We think approval and implementation of the deal will have negative effects on the trend of regional issues.”
The pact provides for US troops to remain for a decade in an advisory but not a combat role, to help train Afghan troops. It also provides billions of dollars in military aid for Afghanistan.
A national assembly of Afghan dignitaries approved the deal and demanded that Karzai sign it by the end of the month — which is also America’s deadline before it starts planning a full withdrawal at the end of 2014.
The Iranian advice may give the pact a big boost since Afghans widely resent what they see as Iranian bullying of their country.