Uzbekistan and Pakistan call on Afghanistan to act against militant groups
Uzbekistan and Pakistan have jointly urged Afghanistan to take concrete steps against militant groups operating from its territory, emphasizing that regional stability and major connectivity projects depend on improved security conditions in the country.
The call was made in a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Pakistan. The two sides stressed that peace and stability in Afghanistan are essential for long-term regional peace, economic growth, and the successful implementation of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.
According to the declaration, the leaders of both countries underlined that several terrorist organizations continue to operate from inside Afghanistan, posing serious threats to regional and global security. They urged Kabul to take “immediate and concrete actions” to dismantle and eliminate all such groups, and to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against any other state.
The Islamic Emirate has previously denied the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan.
Tahawol
Tahawol: Calls to strengthen Afghanistan’s border security
Saar
Saar: Discussion on UN sanctions list updates on IEA members
World
US, Iran may resume talks this week despite port blockade
Negotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Islamabad this week to resume talks to end the war, sources told Reuters on Tuesday, after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
While the U.S. blockade drew angry rhetoric from Tehran, signs that diplomatic engagement might continue helped calm oil markets, pushing benchmark prices below $100 on Tuesday.
The highest-level talks between the two adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in the Pakistani capital without a breakthrough at the weekend, raising doubts over the survival of a two-week ceasefire that still has a week to run.
But a source involved in the talks said on Tuesday both countries could return as early as the end of this week, and that a proposal had been shared with Washington and Tehran to resend their delegations.
“No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open,” a senior Iranian source said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had been in touch on Monday and wanted to make a deal, adding that he would not sanction any agreement that allowed Tehran to possess a nuclear weapon.
Since the United States and Israel began the war on February 28, Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz to nearly all vessels except its own, saying passage would be permitted only under Iranian control and subject to a fee. The fallout has been widespread, as nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas previously flowed through the narrow waterway.
In a countermeasure, the U.S. military said it began blocking shipping traffic in and out of Iran’s ports on Monday.
Tehran has threatened to hit naval ships going through the strait and to retaliate against its Gulf neighbours’ ports.
Nearly 24 hours into the U.S. blockade, there had yet to be reports of Washington taking direct action against shipping to enforce it.
Three Iran-linked tankers were seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, shipping data showed, but the vessels were not heading to or from Iranian ports.
-
Business5 days agoEtihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
-
Latest News5 days agoUK backs Afghanistan–Pakistan talks, calls dialogue key to lasting peace
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
-
World5 days agoRussian special envoy Dmitriev in US, meeting Trump administration members, sources say
-
Latest News5 days ago7 killed, 13 injured in shooting by unidentified gunmen in Herat
-
Regional4 days agoIranian source says US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian funds held in Qatar, other countries
-
World4 days agoUS, Iran teams in Pakistan for peace talks amid doubts over Lebanon, sanctions
-
World3 days agoAt least 30 dead in stampede at Haiti’s historic Laferriere Citadel
