Afghanistan resolved to maintain independent ties with Iran

Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his address to the country's Loya Jirga (traditional grand assembly) underlined Kabul's eagerness and determination to maintain its independent relations with Tehran despite the US opposition."Unfortunately Iran and the US oppose each other but despite the deployment of the US soldiers in Afghanistan, Kabul has maintained its relations with both countries," Karzai said. "Iran is our brother and neighbor with the same religion and we will maintain our independent relations with Iran since it serves the interests of Afghanistan and our Iranian brothers," he added. The Afghan president lauded Iran for sheltering and accommodating Afghan refugees and providing them with other aid and support, and said Kabul will never forget this kindness and favor. Iran and Afghanistan enjoy expanding ties and cooperation and observers believe that the good achievements gained in area of their mutual cooperation should be deemed as a result of the efforts made by the two countries' officials. Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan which has kept its promises to help to the reconstruction of the war-hit country. Iran has built some roads, power transmission lines, and border stations, among the other infrastructure projects which would better link the two nations.