Tehran Rejects U.S. Charges About Afghanistan Role

Mohammad Ali Hosseini (file photo) (Fars) April 19, 2007 -- Iran today rejected remarks by U.S. officials concerning Iran's political and military influence in neighboring Afghanistan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said the U.S. comments were "baseless."

The reaction comes a day after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said there has been "a series of indicators" that Iran is getting involved in "a more unhealthy way" in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, U.S. General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said coalition forces had intercepted Iranian-made mortars and explosives in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province, heading to the Taliban.

Pace and Boucher have said it is unclear exactly who was providing the weapons.

(AFP, Mehr)

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