Iranian envoy calls for Afghan solidarity amid escalating war with Israel

After a week of conflict between Israel and Iran, Alireza Bigdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador  to Kabul, on Monday called on the people of Afghanistan and Islamic countries to support Tehran.

Speaking at a press conference, Bigdeli emphasized that Tehran’s response to the recent attacks is a legitimate act of self-defense, and Iran will not relent in this path.

He also stated that the key to Iran’s victory in this war lies in the unity of the Muslim communities.

The Iranian diplomat said: “We ask the people of Afghanistan to stand by us at this critical moment, pray for us, support us, and use all their capacities to demonstrate the unity of the Islamic Ummah.”

Regarding the issue of Afghan migrants in Iran, Bigdeli said that Tehran has not exerted any pressure for the forced return of these migrants, and some media outlets are exaggerating the matter in an attempt to create tensions between Kabul and Tehran.

“The issue of Afghan migrants in Iran today is being exploited by our enemies’ cyber efforts to create division among our people. The presence of Afghan nationals in Iran over the past 48 years has been a source of pride for the Iranian nation. Over these years, millions—perhaps more than twenty million—Afghans have come to Iran, lived there, and then returned,” he said.

Bigdeli also noted that since the onset of Israeli attacks on Iran, officials and many Afghan citizens have expressed their support for Iran through phone calls, messages, and letters.

The diplomat also warned that if the United Nations does not respond appropriately to the attacks by the US and Israel, the credibility of the organization as an international institution will be at risk in the future.