MNA � A senior Iranian parliamentary official referred to the ongoing political challenges in Afghanistan, saying neighbors paly an undeniably important role in ensuring the country�s security and solving its political challenges.

�[The issue of] Afghanistan is among the priorities of the Islamic Republic�s foreign policy, and Iran considers Afghanistan�s security as its own security,� Special Assistant to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ingrid May Hayden on Tuesday.

The official said Iran warmly welcomes Afghanistan�s peace process with the leadership of its government and nation while stressing that the role and presence of the country�s neighbors in reaching political solutions is vital and undeniable.

The Iranian official said, �Holding parliamentary elections, despite its many challenges, is a positive step toward boosting Afghanistan�s democracy and political trend."

�In the same vein, holding presidential elections on the determined date will bear a great significance [to continue this political process],� he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian criticized the United States� destabilizing measures in the region, including Afghanistan, saying that Washington�s policies have only contributed to the increase of insecurity and volatility in Afghanistan.

�The US policies have only dragged Afghanistan toward insecurity and volatility. The United States only pretends it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan to claim the war is over,� he said.