Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former Afghan leader and vocal opponent of the Afghan interim government, has left Iran under pressure from Iranian officials. Iran had threatened to expel Mr. Hekmatyar, who had been living in Iran since 1996. Hekmatyar's opposition to the Afghan interim government angered Iranian officials who want to show their support for the new Afghan government. IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) reports that Mr. Hekmatyar left Tehran on Tuesday, and Afghan Islamic News Agency, citing Pakistani sources, stated that he is heading towards Afghanistan. These news sources did not provide further information about Mr. Hekmatyar's location. A spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry stated that if Gulbuddin Hekmatyar enters Afghanistan, he will be treated as a war criminal. Mr. Hekmatyar does not accept the international agreement on the formation of the Afghan interim government that was reached last year in Germany, claiming that this agreement signifies the imposition of an American government on Afghanistan. Iranian officials closed Mr. Hekmatyar's office earlier this month. Iranian newspapers reported that this action was taken after Iranian officials found that Mr. Hekmatyar's activities were contrary to Iran's national interests. This former warlord is considered responsible for the destruction of Kabul during the Afghan factional wars following the fall of the Soviet-backed regime in 1992. In 1996, when the Taliban captured Kabul, Mr. Hekmatyar fled to Iran.
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Leaves Iran - 2002-02-28
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has left Iran under pressure from Iranian authorities due to his opposition to the Afghan interim government. His departure is significant as it reflects Iran's desire to support the new Afghan government and distance itself from figures like Hekmatyar, who are viewed as detrimental to its national interests.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has left Iran after Iranian officials pressured him due to his opposition to the Afghan interim government. His departure indicates Iran's intent to align with the new Afghan leadership.
- Hekmatyar had been living in Iran since 1996 and was seen as a threat to Iranian interests.
- The Afghan Foreign Ministry has stated that Hekmatyar will be treated as a war criminal if he returns to Afghanistan.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a former warlord who played a significant role in Afghanistan's civil wars and has been a vocal opponent of the current Afghan government, which is backed by international forces.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%