Iran pledges free health service to Afghan refugees

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Iranian’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif talked on the phone to President Ghani and his political opponent Abdullah Abdullah, discussing the efforts against the coronavirus as well as the country’s political situation, according to statements issued by the Afghan government and the Iranian embassy.

In his phone conversation with President Ghani, the Iranian foreign minister vowed “free health service” to Afghans who are living in Iran and have been infected with the coronavirus.

Iran on Tuesday reported over 62,500 positive cases of the coronavirus with over 3,800 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

The two sides also discussed the political situation of the region and Afghanistan, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.

Abdullah Abdullah spoke on phone to Iran’s FM Javad Zarif and the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional issues, the fight against coronavirus and Afghan refugees, said Mujiburrahman Rahmi, a spokesman for Abdullah.

“Discussions (were) also held on peace efforts and the political developments in Afghanistan,” said Rahimi, Abdullah’s spokesperson.

But a statement by the Iranian embassy in Kabul provided more details on the two conversations, saying that Iran’s foreign minister also discussed the political tension in Afghanistan as well as the future intra-Afghan negotiations, among other topics.

Zarif also announced his country’s support for a peace process with the participation of all Afghan political sides under the framework of the Afghan constitution. (TOLOnews)