KABUL (SW) – Amid growing tension between the U.S. and Iran, Afghanistan has vowed not to let its soil be used against any other country.
Expressing concerns over escalating tensions in the region, President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement that Afghanistan is closely monitoring situation in the region and is determined to maintain good bilateral and multilateral ties with all countries of the world.
The statement said that during the telephonic conversation with U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, President Ghani stressed upon not using Afghan soil against any third country or for any other regional conflict.
This comes as at the direction of President Donald Trump, the U.S. military killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, Pentagon said on Thursday. It added Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. ‘General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more’, read the statement.
According to Pentagon, this strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, has declared 3 days of mourning. In a series of tweets, he has warned ‘‘severe revenge’ awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs’ blood last night’’.
ENDS
