Afghan government rejects reports of Iranian support for Taleban

The Afghan government on January 3 rejected a report published in a British newspaper alleging that Iran is backing Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters in southern Afghanistan. Addressing a news conference in Kabul, presidential spokesman Karim Rahimi said the report had no substance to it. “We have no proof of Iranian support for the Taleban,” said Rahimi, adding that the neighbouring country had always contributed a great deal to Afghan reconstruction. Western regions bordering Iran have been peaceful, unlike the volatile Pakistani-Afghan frontier. Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, Mohammad Reza Bahrami, described the report as baseless, saying everyone was aware that lawlessness and insecurity in Afghanistan could not benefit any of its neighbours. A report in the leading British daily Sunday Times, quoting military intelligence officials, said al-Qaeda and Taleban insurgents in southern Afghanistan were preparing for a big offensive with the backing of Iran.