UN Chief Hails Iran for Hosting Afghan Refugees

In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday evening, Guterres congratulated the top Iranian diplomat on taking office.

He also described Iran as a very influential country among the members of the United Nations and said he expects close cooperation with the Iranian president and foreign minister.

The UN chief then appreciated the efforts of Iran in generously hosting Afghan refugees, stressing his commitment to supporting Iran's efforts in hosting the displaced persons.

Guterres further called the UN a supporter of agreements and dialogue as a mainstay, and stressed the need for the resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.

He also stressed the United Nations' commitment to safeguarding the rights of Palestinians.

For his part, Amirabdollahian emphasized Iran’s readiness to cooperate with the UN secretary general to find a political solution to the current situation in Afghanistan in line with talks held during the meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors.

He said the UN would be a key part of efforts to find a solution to the Afghanistan crisis, expressing serious concern regarding the new influx of migrants from Afghanistan and stressing the need for assistance from relevant organizations at the United Nations.

On the Vienna talks about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the foreign minister said the Iranian government is conducting the necessary studies on the matter, and emphasized Tehran’s commitment to dialogue and negotiation as a tool of diplomacy, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website.

Amirabdollahian added, "Unfortunately, the US made a miscalculation by maintaining illegal sanctions on Iran and they mistakenly think they can use the sanctions as a bargaining chip.”

“The negotiating parties should come to Vienna with a realistic understanding and pay serious attention to the rights and interests of the Iranian people, and Iran believes negotiations will be acceptable if they lead to a tangible result,” he stated.

Amirabdollahian also voiced concern over the terrorist activities in Afghanistan and the region, saying the use of terrorism by some powers as a tool is the main obstacle to peace and stability in the region, which is regrettable.

Iran’s foreign minister and the Secretary General of the United Nations also stressed the need for the formation of a fully inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of all Afghan ethnic groups. They said war and violence should not rule Afghanistan.

Amirabdollahian also spoke of Iran’s pursuit of the cowardly assassination of Iran’s top commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani. He said Iran is following the case at international and legal levels with seriousness and the US will not be able to dodge its responsibility for the assassination of this “great hero of fight against terrorism”.

Referring to the actions of the Israeli regime, Iran’s foreign minister said, "The Zionist regime continues to openly commit crimes in the occupied territories, and the international community and the United Nations have a definite duty to uphold the Palestinian cause and the rights of defenseless Palestinian women and children."