Hundreds of Taliban fighters have been training in recent months in training camps for Iranian special forces and military educational institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is reported by British The Times referring to the official representatives of Afghanistan and sources among the Taliban.

As noted, Iran seeks not just to turn Afghanistan into yet another arena of confrontation with the United States. The growth of Iranian influence in the neighboring state allows the official Tehran to interfere in Afghan domestic politics and determine the outcome of the ongoing civil war in this country.

The newspaper calls the volume of cooperation unprecedented. "The Iranian side has two basic requirements. First, we must focus on attacking the interests of the US and NATO. Our second goal is the "Islamic state", "said an activist of the political wing of the Taliban.

A Taliban spokesman, formerly engaged in the manufacture of explosive devices, said that the first cadets went to Iran in the spring - soon after the US president's announcement of the withdrawal of their Vienna agreements. Only the most capable militants get to the courses.

Training takes place on the basis of Kermanshah in the west of Iran.

Here there are 500-600 cadets studying tactics and handling weapons. They are taught to make explosive devices and develop leadership qualities.

The Times notes that traditionally the Iranian regime was an ally of the government of Afghanistan. However, the command of Al-Quds subdivision of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is developing cooperation with the Taliban. Iran actually replaced Pakistan as the main patron of the "Taliban".

Source: newsru. co. il.