Iran Expresses Concern Over Islamic State Group In Afghanistan

Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday expressed concern over terror attacks and the growth of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.

In a meeting with Peter Launsky, Secretary-General at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Amir-Abdollahian condemned “recent terrorist operations” in Afghanistan and characterized “the growth of the Islamic State and Takfiri groups” in that country as “dangerous”.

Launsky also condemned the attacks and said that Iran and Austria share concerns over the Islamic State group.

ISNA news website in Tehran reported that Launsky visited Iran to hold the fifth round of bilateral political discussions with Amir-Abdollahian, who praised “long-standing” relations with Austria, thanked for Vienna’s donation of Covid vaccines and called for more cooperation against the pandemic.

Launsky also expressed hope that with the participation of all sides the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) can be revived.

Vienna was the venue of multi-lateral talks from April to June aimed at restoring the JCPOA. Iran stopped participating in the talks that have been suspended. Western countries have been urging Tehran to return to negotiations.