All news

Russia can change conditions for Afghan transit

Moscow may expand weapon shipments to Iran if U.S. launches strike on Syria
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Vladimir Smirnov
Photo ITAR-TASS/ Vladimir Smirnov

MOSCOW, September 11 (Itar-Tass) - State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Aleksei Pushkov said the change of Russia’s conditions for transit in Afghanistan and the expansion of arms supplies to Iran are possible and justified.

“If the War Party prevails in the United States and the efforts by the enemies of Syria yield results, it will be justified and expedient to discuss more serious measures, including supplies of defensive weapons to Iran and discussions on our interaction on Afghanistan, particularly transit conditions,” Pushkov said.

“These are very serious proposals. If the United States give up diplomatic means in favour of the military scenario, such measures will be considered absolutely justified,” he said.

At the same time, Pushkov said, “Now the chance should be given to diplomatic efforts. If they are successful, it will possible to find ways to prevent the military intervention.”

The committee’s deputy chairman, Leonid Kalashnikov, said Russia should withdraw from the New START Treaty if the United States invaded Syria.

It will be also necessary to resume Russian defensive arms supplies to Iran and revise conditions for transit of American cargoes to Afghanistan via Russia’s territory, the lawmaker said.

The State Duma has not taken into account the Communist Party’s proposal so far. Pushkov said if the military scenario was realised the lower house “will make a new, more concrete, statement”.