Iran’s Raisi Calls US ‘Defeat’ in Afghanistan Opportunity for Peace

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that the United States’ “defeat” in Afghanistan could make way for peace as the war-torn country reels from the Taliban’s lightning advance.

"The military defeat and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan should offer an opportunity to restore life, security and lasting peace in that country," Raisi’s office quoted him as telling outgoing Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a call Monday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the rule of the will of the oppressed people of Afghanistan has always been a source of security and stability,” Raisi told Zarif. "Iran is committed to its neighborly relations with Afghanistan by closely monitoring developments in the country,” the ultraconservative cleric said.