Iran, Afghanistan discuss ties, peace process

According to IRNA, both sides discussed avenues for expansion of mutual relations and the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan.
The Iranian diplomat said that Tehran supports the Afghan-led peace process which is aimed at putting an end to years of conflicts in the Asian country.
He noted that Iran honors Afghanistan’s Constitution and also supports the country's talks with the Taliban.
Last month, Iran hosted a Taliban delegation to help secure peace in the neighboring country.
The Taliban's visit to Tehran was the second of its kind.
During the last month meeting, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif voiced Iran’s readiness to help promote intra-Afghan talks aimed at restoring peace and stability to the war-wracked country.
The top Iranian diplomat highlighted the need for the launch of Afghan-Afghan talks and the formation of an all-inclusive government.
Tehran has laid emphasis on the need for all Afghan groupings to join negotiations – spearheaded by the government – toward resolving the country’s problems.
Violence runs rampant across Afghanistan despite the presence of thousands of foreign, mostly American, forces in the country.
The US first invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the banner of fighting “terrorism.” The invasion toppled the Taliban, but the group has never stopped its attacks, citing the foreign military presence as one of the main reasons behind its continued militancy.
Washington began conducting on-again-off-again talks with the Taliban excluding the Afghan government last year, but called the negotiations off in September.
However, a US source said on Saturday that Washington resumed talks with the Taliban in Qatar Saturday.