Iran says embassy, consulate in Afghanistan open

TEHRAN, Iran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the country’s diplomatic missions in Afghanistan remain open, according to Iranian media.

Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the activities continue at the Iranian Embassy in the capital Kabul and the Consulate General in Herat city.

Media reports earlier said that the embassies of Russia, China and Pakistan were the only diplomatic missions remaining open in Kabul.

After quickly overrunning smaller administrative districts and provincial hubs, the Taliban on Sunday entered the Afghan capital Kabul and seized power, taking the country’s reins for the first time in almost 20 years.

The government quickly folded, with President Ashraf Ghani and other key officials fleeing for safety abroad.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat