Neal Mann · @fieldproducer
9th Mar 2011 from Twitlonger
UK Foreign Office confirm weapons seized in #Afghanistan were supplied by #Iran. FCO statement:
NATO in Afghanistan have confirmed that weapons seized in a recent operation by Afghan and ISAF forces in Nimruz were supplied by elements within the Iranian regime and were destined for the Taliban.
Speaking today in response to this, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence that Iran continues to supply the Taleban with weaponry – weapons clearly intended to provide the Taleban with the capability to kill Afghan and ISAF soldiers from significant range. The detailed technical analysis, together with the circumstances of the seizure, leave us in no doubt that the weaponry recovered came from Iran. This is completely unacceptable. It is not the behaviour of a responsible neighbour. It is at odds with Iran’s claim to the international community and to its own people that it supports stability and security in Afghanistan. My Ambassador in Tehran raised this with the Iranian MFA earlier today. I call on Iran to act in the interests of a stable and secure region.”