Tasnim – The Iranian foreign minister’s assistant for West Asia affairs highlighted reasons behind continued conflicts in neighboring Afghanistan and said the presence of foreign forces in the South Asian country has prolonged the war.

Addressing a landmark international meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow known as the “Moscow Format”, Rasoul Eslami emphasized that the military approach adopted by some countries to resolve the Afghan crisis has failed.

The continued presence of foreign military troops has lengthened the war in Afghanistan, the diplomat added.

He went on to say that the “responsible” withdrawal of these troops from Afghanistan, according to a timetable, would be an important step in preparing the ground for peace talks between the Afghan government and the opposition.

The “Moscow format” is a new initiative aimed at achieving peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

The Russian foreign ministry invited Afghanistan, the US, Iran, Pakistan, India, the five bordering Central Asian states, and the Taliban for the meeting in Moscow.

Opening the meeting on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the participation of both Afghan leaders and the Taliban was an "important contribution" aimed at creating "favorable conditions for the start of direct talks".

"I am counting on you holding a serious and constructive conversation that will justify the hopes of the Afghan people," he said before the talks continued behind closed doors.