As the Afghan Taliban observed the first anniversary of their takeover, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price claimed Washington stood stronger than ever a year after its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a press briefing on Monday, Ned Price said that his nation could now more effectively concentrate on both the fresh prospects and the risks it faces. However, the US hoped to continue welcoming its Afghan partners and providing humanitarian help, so the conclusion of the military operation does not signify the end of the country’s diplomatic and humanitarian mission, he added.
Ned Price said, “Ending the longest war in American history was never going to be easy, but one year later we are in a stronger position as a country because of the president’s decision.”
Price said that the United States expects the Taliban-led Afghan government to fulfill its commitments.
In reference to the country’s efforts to limit terrorism, the spokesperson said that the United States has gone to “extraordinary lengths to keep American people safe from terrorist attacks, as we demonstrated most recently during the strike against al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri”.
Price also stated that in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, NATO is now “more purposeful” than before.
Answering a question about Iran’s nuclear program, he stated that dialogue is the best and most practical way to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Price said, “The only way to achieve a mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA is for Iran to drop further unacceptable demands that go beyond the scope of the JCPOA. We have long called these demands extraneous.”
