Iran condemns siege of Panjshir by Taliban, says it is against international law

Tehran, Sep 6 (UNI) The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday said that the blockade of Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan by the Taliban contravenes international law and humanitarian law.
The ministry reiterated Tehran’s position that there is only a political solution to the issues surrounding Panjshir Valley, Tehran Times reported.
“There is only political solution to Panjshir and the siege of Panjshir is by no means acceptable in terms of international law and humanitarian law,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a regular news briefing.
The Taliban said on Monday they have taken control of Panjshir province.
Panjshir was the last holdout of anti-Taliban forces in the country and the only province the Taliban had not seized during their blitz across Afghanistan last month.
Khatibzadeh said reports from Panjshir are “worrying”.
He added the attack on the province is condemned in the strongest terms.
Fahim Dashti, the spokesman for the anti-Taliban group, was killed in a battle on Sunday, according to the group’s Twitter account. Dashti was the voice of the group and a prominent media personality during previous governments.
He was also the nephew of Abdullah Abdullah, a senior official of the former government who is involved in negotiations with the Taliban on the future of Afghanistan.
Khatibzadeh said the “martyrdom” of Afghan leaders is a “source of regret”.
“No side must allow that this course lead to fratricide,” he said, adding that the Taliban should abide by international law.
He went on to say that “starving” the people of Panjshir and “cutting their water and electricity is a cause of concern and regret.”