Iran says investigating ‘foreign interference’ in Afghanistan

Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol in armoured humvees at an outpost in Kotal-e Anjuman of Paryan district in Panjshir province, Afghanistan, on August 23, 2021. (AFP/File)

• Taliban said on Monday they had seized Panjshir, last province in north of Afghanistan that was not in their control
• Iran condemns Sunday night strikes in Panjshir, Pakistan says has “no favorites” in Afghanistan 

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned a Sunday night strike by the Taliban in Panjshir province in Afghanistan and said Tehran was investigating reports of ‘foreign interference’ in Afghanistan, state-run news agency IRNA reported on Monday.
The Taliban announced on Monday that they had seized Panjshir, the last province in the north of the country that was not in their control since they captured Kabul on August 15. Media reports have suggested Pakistan supported the Taliban in the fight. 
Pakistan has so far not reacted to the reports but in recent weeks has reiterated that it has “no favorites” in Afghanistan and wants to see an inclusive, broad-based political government formed in the war-torn nation. 
IRNA reported that Khatibzadeh condemned the Taliban strikes in Panjshir province “in the strongest terms” and said the death of Afghan leaders was a matter of great sorrow.
“Iran is investigating foreign interference in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said, adding that the crisis in Panjshir should be solved through dialogue “intermediated by all Afghan leaders” and all sides should avoid violence
Khatibzadeh also called on the Taliban to abide by its commitments under international law.