Addressing the intra-Afghan talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “welcome[d] the Taliban commitment not to host international terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, nor to allow them to use Afghan territory to train, recruit or to fundraise” and likewise acknowledged “the same commitments by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan that they should never permit their nation to serve as a base for international terrorists to threaten other countries”. “The U.S. is a proponent of a sovereign, unified and representative Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and with its neighbours”, he added. “We’re prepared to support your negotiations should you ask, but this time is yours”. Iran praised the start of the talks, expressing “hopes that the talks will be held within a context of comprehensive understanding among Afghans and without any foreign interference… [and] lead to the desired results”. Highlighting Iran’s “readiness to assist in advancing the peace process”, the foreign ministry denounced “any political opportunism and profiteering from the intra-Afghan talks, especially by the U.S. government for electoral purposes”.