Afghanistan accuses Iran of supporting Taliban

Afghanistan security forces have formally complained of Iran logistically and militarily supporting the extremist activities of the Afghan Taliban group.

An Afghan official told Kabul Television that Iran supports the extremist group by hosting training exercises inside the country.

A former foreign ministry official told German media outlet Deutsche Welle: “This is the first time that Iran has confessed to supporting the Taliban. In the past, they always blamed Pakistan for this.”

Late in October, Al Arabiya English reported on how one Afghan Taliban leader revealed details of his group’s relations with Iran.

“The movement is trying to benefit from all legitimate means to reach a regional agreement as part of the war against the American invasion; therefore, the Imara holds ongoing networks with a large number of regional and neighboring states,” he said at the time.

He said to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat in an email 19 months ago, that the movement had received drone planes from Iran, which help film suicidal operations.

*A version of tis article written by Al Arabiya's Saleh Hamid also appears on AlArabiya.net.