Iran Welcomes Ceasefire between Afghan Gov’t, Taliban
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the country welcomes the Afghan government’s decision to declare a ceasefire with the Taliban militants on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr when Muslims celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the Afghan government’s decision to announce a ceasefire with the Taliban and regards it as a positive step toward achieving bigger agreements and restoring permanent stability and security to Afghanistan," Qassemi said in a statement on Saturday.
He further voiced Tehran’s readiness to provide any kind of assistance for Afghanistan to promote peace under the leadership of the country’s government.
The Taliban announced on Saturday that it had agreed to a three-day ceasefire with Afghan security forces for Eid al-Fitr in the middle of June, following a truce deal already proposed by President Ashraf Ghani.
The ceasefire, the first offer of its kind, will begin either on Friday or Saturday, as Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, falls on one of these days.
The deputy spokesman for the Afghan president welcomed the Taliban’s agreement to the government ceasefire proposal for Eid al-Fitr, expressing the hope that the decision can lead to a lasting peace.
The Afghan government hopes that the Taliban will respond positively to the demands of the people and clergy in Afghanistan and focus on putting an end to the war in the country, Shah Hossein Mortazavi said.
