Iran denounces attacks against Afghan civilians

Condemning attacks against defenseless people in Afghanistan, an Iranian diplomat has expressed concern over the rise in civilian casualties in the war-torn country.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting, Iran’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN Gholam Hossein Dehqani said operations by international forces have incurred civilian casualties in Afghanistan and added that Iran condemns all kinds of attacks against civilians in any form.

He described 2014 as an important year for Afghanistan as it is the year of presidential elections and the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country.

He expressed hope that international support for the both upcoming Afghan presidential election and the pull-out would restore peace and stability in the country and lead to economic and social improvement.

The Iranian diplomat also called for international cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs trade, which he described as the prime source of income for terrorist and extremist groups in Afghanistan.

Highlighting the UN’s pivotal role in Afghan political and economic reconstruction, Dehqani said that Iran supports the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which is aimed at helping the Afghans people lay the foundations for sustainable peace and development.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still grappling with insecurity.

US drone strikes in Afghanistan have left thousands of civilians dead, although CIA officials claim attacks target militant hideouts only.