In remarks to the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Zarif called for "national reconciliation and inclusive political solutions for Afghanistan, owned and led by the Afghan government and people". "The presence of foreign forces has never brought stability in our region and has historically provided a recruiting ground for extremists", Zarif argued, adding that "a new challenge is the introduction of ISIS to Afghanistan which has led to more bloodshed and introduced dangerous sectarian tendencies. More dangerously, it has radicalised the local armed groups in a competition over followers and recruits". Zarif went on to lament "unlawful unilateral sanctions [that] impede cooperation" between Iran and Afghanistan.